Chapter 75

William stepped into the grand hall of the Hawthorne estate, his presence undeniable. Dressed in a tailored suit from one of the most prestigious designers in Europe, every line of his outfit was made to fit him to perfection. The dark navy fabric hugged his broad shoulders and tapered at his waist, the subtle sheen catching the light as he moved. His polished black shoes gleamed under the soft glow of the chandeliers, and his signature black tie completed the ensemble, making him look effortlessly sophisticated. Behind him, his father, Guillaume De la Roche, and stepmother, Cecilia, entered the hall with equal grace and poise. Cecilia’s elegant gown shimmered in the light, a perfect contrast to Guillaume’s distinguished appearance in a charcoal grey tuxedo, his silver hair immaculately combed.

As the De la Roches entered the ballroom, they were immediately met with the glances of the well-dressed guests, a mix of curious onlookers and admirers. The air was thick with murmurs and the clink of champagne flutes, but William’s attention was quickly drawn to a figure near the entrance—a man who stood out with the sharpness of his tailored suit and the commanding presence of someone who was always aware of their surroundings. Thomas Hawthorne.

William's gaze flicked to his father, who was deep in conversation with Thomas. He had not expected to see the Hawthornes behind this event. While he had been invited to many exclusive gatherings over the years, he hadn't realized that this ball had been organized by the Hawthornes. His secretary hadn’t mentioned it.

Thomas noticed William’s hesitation and walked toward him with a warm smile, the kind he reserved for people he wanted something from.

"Guillaume, good to see you," Thomas greeted, shaking his father's hand firmly before turning his attention to William. "Ah, I believe my daughter knows your son," he said, his voice a mixture of pride and curiosity.

Guillaume, ever intrigued by new connections, looked up at William with a raised brow. "Really? Do tell," he said with a glimmer of interest.

William gave a polite smile. "I do, actually," he said, keeping his tone friendly but businesslike. "Lovely girl, Margaux. We worked side by side on the bank's case not too long ago."

At the mention of Margaux’s name, Thomas's face softened with recognition, and Guillaume nodded, recalling the name. "Ah, yes, Hawthorne. I remember now." He chuckled lightly, as if savoring the memory of the case.

Thomas then shifted slightly, his tone growing more personal. "She’ll be around. But please, William, do go say hello to my wife. She’ll be expecting you."

Without waiting for a response, Thomas turned and made his way to a group of other guests, leaving the De la Roches to settle into the rhythm of the evening.

William stood for a moment, gazing out over the sea of guests, his mind still wrapped around the thought of Margaux. Something warm stirred inside him, an excitement he hadn’t anticipated. He hadn’t seen her since that night at her place, and though she knew how much her parents had orchestrated this night to go exactly how they wanted, the memory of their time together lingered in his mind, unspoken and unresolved. He shifted his attention to Guillaume and Cecilia, excusing himself politely.

"Please, do excuse me," he said, offering a smile. "I’ll just go say hello to Mrs. Hawthorne."

William moved through the crowd with ease, his presence naturally commanding attention. As he walked across the room, his gaze fell on Adelaine Hawthorne, who stood at the far end of the ballroom, speaking with a group of guests. She spotted him almost immediately, her lips curving into a smile that exuded both warmth and grace.

"William, darling!" she called, waving enthusiastically. "I’m so glad you could make it." Her voice was like silk, smooth and inviting.

William smiled, his gaze softening as he approached her. "Adelaine, you look as stunning as ever," he said, his tone genuine but still polished. "I have to admit, I didn’t realize the Hawthornes were organizing this event. Quite a turnout, I must say."

Adelaine laughed lightly, her laugh almost musical. "Oh, yes. Thomas has always had a flair for the extravagant. You know how it is with him—always throwing these grand affairs. But," she continued, her voice lowering conspiratorially, "it’s not just about the event, is it? It's about connections, William. Opportunities."

William nodded, understanding the unspoken meaning. "Of course," he agreed, smiling as he glanced around the room. "I must say, it’s been a while since I’ve seen such a distinguished group of people."

"Indeed," Adelaine replied with a knowing smile. "And I’m sure you’re aware that Margaux will be here as well."

William’s gaze flicked toward her, and for a split second, he forgot to hide the flicker of emotion that passed through his eyes. "Margaux?" he asked, unable to mask the warmth in his voice.

Adelaine’s smile widened, pleased by his reaction. "Yes, she’s been busy lately. But she’ll be here soon. It’s not every day she gets to join us in such... fine company." Her eyes twinkled as she spoke, a hint of pride in her voice.

William felt a small pang of anticipation. "I see," he replied, the words slipping from his mouth before he could stop them. "It will be good to see her again."

Just as he finished his sentence, a soft murmur of admiration rippled through the crowd. He turned instinctively, his gaze snapping toward the staircase.

Margaux stood at the top of the grand staircase, her presence radiating elegance. The soft glow of the chandelier bathed her in light, her Clio Peppiatt Orchid dress flowing gracefully around her, the floral embroidery highlighting her slender frame. The diamond necklace she wore caught the light, sending tiny glimmers into the room, and her silver earrings added just the right amount of sparkle. She looked ethereal, like a vision from a dream, her beauty even more striking than he remembered.

William's breath caught in his throat as he watched her descend the stairs. He couldn’t help but feel a sense of awe at her beauty, a sense of wonder that made his heart beat a little faster. He turned to Adelaine, unable to stop the compliment that slipped from his lips. "She’s... stunning," he said softly, his voice a low murmur.

Adelaine’s smile turned sly, the pride she felt for her daughter evident in the way her eyes glinted. "Isn’t she? Now, go on," she urged, giving him a playful nudge. "Go talk to her before someone else snatches her up first."

With a knowing wink, Adelaine turned to greet a group of other guests, leaving William standing there for a moment. He felt a warmth inside, not just from the beauty of the moment, but from the anticipation of finally seeing Margaux up close once more.

Without wasting another second, he made his way across the room, his eyes never leaving her as she continued down the stairs. He had to speak with her—he needed to.