113. Welcome Part for Eirene

**113\.  Welcome Part for Eirene**

Eirene stood near the entrance, her fingers lightly gripping the silk fabric of her gown. The dress—soft silver with delicate embroidery—had been chosen by Aanya herself. It was elegant yet understated, a perfect balance between strength and grace, much like the woman wearing it. But despite the grandeur around her, an uneasy weight pressed against her chest.

Beside her, in a breathtaking deep blue princess dress adorned with delicate pearls, stood Lucy. Eirene had bought the dress with her own money—a silent message to Samuel that she could provide for her daughter just as well as he could. Lucy, oblivious to the unspoken war between her parents, twirled slightly, admiring the way the fabric shimmered under the lights.

Aanya, standing beside Eirene, noticed the tension in her shoulders and leaned in slightly. “Breathe, darling,” she whispered. “This is your night. Own it.”

Eirene exhaled slowly, pushing down the nerves bubbling within her.

Aanya had assured her that it was just a small gathering, a welcome party to introduce her to key business partners and high-ranking employees. But standing amidst the grand decor, the glittering chandeliers casting a golden glow over the elegantly dressed guests, Eirene couldn’t see anything simple or small about it.

The moment Aanya stepped onto the small stage set in the center of the ballroom, the crowd quieted. With a warm yet commanding voice, she addressed them.

“Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we gather not just for celebration but to honor a legacy. Many of you knew Alice Cooper, an icon, a visionary, and a dear friend. But tonight, we welcome someone just as remarkable.”

Aanya turned towards Eirene, her eyes gleaming with pride.

“Eirene is not just Alice’s daughter… she is a talent of her own, an emerging force in the fashion world. And it is my honor to introduce her to all of you.”

A round of applause followed though Eirene could feel the mix of genuine enthusiasm and quiet scrutiny in the room. She smiled politely, giving a small nod.

Lucy, standing close to her mother, beamed at the attention, whispering,

“Are they clapping for you, Mom?”

Eirene leaned down slightly, her fingers gently stroking Lucy’s soft curls.

“No,” she murmured.

“It’s for your grandmother. Remember? I showed you her picture.”

Lucy’s eyes lit up with recognition as she nodded.

“The beautiful actress grandma. I remember.”

A small smile tugged at Eirene’s lips before her gaze drifted back to the crowd.

Within moments, she found herself surrounded by guests, approaching her with raised glasses for a toast, their voices mingling in the air as they introduced themselves.

Their eyes held a mixture of curiosity and intrigue, some with genuine warmth, others with subtle amusement as if they were assessing her, weighing her presence in this world of wealth and power.

Soon, a woman approached her, an assistant Aanya had hired for her.

Though Eirene didn’t know her well, the middle-aged woman carried herself with quiet efficiency, dressed in a crisp professional suit. She moved seamlessly through the gathering, introducing each guest to Eirene while discreetly whispering insights about the more influential figures. If nothing else, she certainly knew how to do her job well.

Across the room, Samuel Richi leaned casually against the bar, effortlessly commanding attention despite saying nothing. Dressed in his signature black suit, he exuded quiet dominance, his sharp blue eyes fixed on Eirene and Lucia.

Beside him, Victor swirled his drink lazily, his gaze drifting over the crowd before settling on Samuel with mild amusement.

"Didn’t take you for the ‘fashion party’ type,"

he mused.

Samuel smirked, setting his glass down with an unhurried motion.

"I’m not."

Victor arched a brow.

"That was sarcasm. You seriously lack social humor."

Samuel’s lips twitched.

"That’s why I keep you around."

Victor scoffed, taking a sip of his drink. But when he followed Samuel’s gaze across the room, his expression shifted. He exhaled a knowing sigh.

"Right," he muttered.

"You’re here for them."

Ignoring his friend’s amusement, Samuel set down his glass and moved toward Eirene. As he approached, she turned slightly, her breath catching at the sight of him.

“You didn’t tell me you were coming,”

she said, keeping her voice neutral.

Samuel tilted his head slightly.

“Would it have made a difference?”

She opened her mouth to reply but hesitated.

*Would it? She wasn’t sure.*

His gaze flickered over her. Then, down to Lucy, whose hand was still wrapped around Eirene’s.

“You look beautiful,”

he said, voice low. His eyes lingered a moment longer on Lucy’s dress. A silent acknowledgment. A challenge.

Eirene lifted her chin, her voice firm.

“She deserves the best.”

Samuel’s smirk was subtle, but there was something unreadable in his gaze, something deeper, almost amused.

“Of course she does. After all…”

He leaned in just enough that no one would suspect anything, his voice low, ensuring Lucy wouldn’t hear.

“My daughter deserves the best. And so does her mother.”

A flutter stirred in Eirene’s stomach, but she quickly masked it, forcing herself to stay composed. She met his gaze with feigned indifference.

“Just so you know, I can afford anything for my daughter now.”

Samuel didn’t argue, just gave her a knowing smile, the kind that made it clear he saw more than she wanted him to. He could read her too well. But this wasn’t the place for her to falter, not with the crowd watching.

Not when Samuel Richi had always mastered the art of staying in the shadows, using Victor as his shield to keep the media at bay. His image had to remain untouchable, his presence carefully curated.

“Let me know when you want to leave,” he said smoothly.

“I’ll accompany you.”

Before she could respond, he leaned down and pressed a brief, soft kiss to Lucy’s cheek.

Lucy’s face lit up instantly, her grin wide and mischievous. She winked at him, her plan had already changed. She no longer just wanted wealth; she wanted her mother to marry a Rich man. And Samuel Richi is the perfect candidate.

As the night progressed, Eirene found herself surrounded by investors, designers, and journalists. Questions came at her from every direction, some genuinely interested in her work, others testing her, searching for weaknesses. She answered confidently, proving she wasn’t just a shadow of her mother.

Amidst the formal conversations, Eirene noticed a familiar presence approaching her with the same effortless composure she had come to associate with him. Victor Park. Dressed in an impeccably tailored suit, he exuded quiet authority, yet tonight, there was a calculated air to him one she immediately recognized as deliberate.

He stopped just before her, extending a hand as if they were strangers meeting for the first time.

“Victor Park,”

he introduced himself smoothly, his tone strictly professional.

“Representative of Shaibeat Corporation.”

Eirene’s brows lifted slightly. So, this was the game he was playing. Victor wasn’t the type to entertain unnecessary formalities, which meant there was a reason behind this act. Catching on quickly, she played along, masking her familiarity with him behind a polite, businesslike smile.

“Eirene Beatrix,”

she replied, shaking his hand with equal composure.

Victor gave a small nod, his sharp gaze assessing but never intrusive.

“Shaibeat has been closely watching Aalan’s expansion. Our investment isn’t just about profit, it’s about potential. And from what I’ve seen tonight, you have plenty of it.”

Eirene studied him for a brief moment, trying to read between the lines. Business talk wasn’t her strength, and Victor was well aware of that. His words carried a rehearsed ease.

Still, she maintained her poise.

“I appreciate that,”

she said, offering a small nod.

Victor smirked slightly as if he had expected that answer. He glanced at the crowd before stepping back.

“I won’t take up more of your time. Just wanted to make sure we formally introduced ourselves.”

With that, he excused himself after giving a small nod to Lucy, but not before casting a subtle, meaningful glance towards the corner of the room where Samuel was standing. It was quick, almost imperceptible.

Samuel, who had been standing in the shadows, picked up on Victor’s silent message immediately. Without turning his head, his gaze flickered towards the crowd, where a lone figure stood near the exit.

The man blended in well, dressed like any other guest, holding a drink in hand. But there was something off. His focus on Eirene was too sharp, his posture too rigid. He wasn’t here for the party... it’s suspicious.

Samuel’s gaze sharpened. Adjusting his cuff, he took a step forward, but the moment his attention shifted, the man melted into the crowd.

Jaw tightening, Samuel exhaled slowly.

Too cautious. Too calculated.

Then just as he scanned the room again, he found him.

Without hesitation, Samuel moved.