The hush that had fallen over the party after my grand entrance didn't last long. The music swelled again, and conversations resumed, but the weight of my presence still lingered. I could feel the whispers around me, the stolen glances, the shocked expressions. Some of the guests were murmuring about my transformation; others were speculating about the tension between me, Delphine, and Louis.
I didn't care. I hadn't come here for them.
As I strode further into the room, Deonne appeared at my side, her eyes sparkling with amusement. "Elise, you just shut this entire place down," she whispered, nudging me playfully. "The look on Delphine's face? Priceless."
I allowed a small smile to touch my lips. "Good. Let her stew."
Deonne squeezed my arm. "You ready for whatever drama might come next? Because I don't think they're done."
I nodded once, my grip tightening around my clutch. "Let them try."
Across the room, Louis stood frozen, his usually confident expression faltering. His light brown eyes scanned me with something close to regret—perhaps even admiration—but I wasn't interested in deciphering his emotions. He had made his choice, and now, he had to live with it.
Delphine, however, wasn't nearly as composed. She practically stormed toward me, her green eyes ablaze with anger.
"Elise," she said, her voice low but sharp. "What are you even doing here?"
I arched a brow, pretending to look confused. "Last I checked, Deonne was my best friend. I was invited. What's your excuse?" I tilted my head. "Oh, right. You needed an audience."
Her face turned red with frustration. "You just love making everything about you, don't you?"
I chuckled. "That's rich coming from you."
Before she could retort, Louis finally moved, placing a hand on Delphine's arm. "Del, not here."
Delphine yanked her arm away, glaring at him. "You're defending her? After everything?"
Louis sighed, rubbing the back of his neck. "I'm not doing this right now."
Deonne, ever the peacemaker, looped her arm through mine. "Come on, Elise. We have people to mingle with. Let the children fight among themselves."
As we turned away, I caught a glimpse of Louis still staring at me, his expression unreadable. But I had no time for his internal conflict.
Tonight was about me reclaiming my power.
A little later in the night, Christian found me by the balcony, the city lights stretching endlessly beyond the McNeal estate.
"You handled that well," he said, leaning against the railing beside me.
I sighed, finally allowing myself a moment to breathe. "I don't know how I didn't slap her."
Christian chuckled. "Because you're better than that. And honestly? Nothing could've hurt Delphine more than you walking in looking like that."
I smirked. "That was the goal."
We stood in comfortable silence for a moment before Christian hesitated. "Elise... there's something you should know."
I turned to him, immediately wary. "What is it?"
Christian sighed, his expression conflicted. "I overheard something earlier. Delphine was talking to one of her friends, and they mentioned something about your mom's company."
My entire body tensed. "What about it?"
He hesitated again. "I don't have all the details, but I think Cassandra is making moves to take full control. And Delphine? She's in on it."
A chill ran down my spine. My mother's company—her legacy—was supposed to be mine once I turned eighteen. If Cassandra and Delphine were scheming, then I needed to act fast.
I clenched my fists. "I should've known she wouldn't stop at stealing Louis."
Christian placed a comforting hand on my shoulder. "Whatever they're planning, we'll figure it out. You're not alone in this, Elise."
I took a deep breath, nodding. "Thank you, Christian."
Before we could continue, footsteps approached from behind us. I turned, half-expecting Delphine to cause another scene. But it wasn't Delphine. It was Louis.
Christian stiffened beside me, but I kept my expression neutral. "What do you want?"
Louis exhaled heavily, looking at me with that same unreadable expression. "Can we talk?"
I crossed my arms. "I think we've said everything that needed to be said."
"Elise, please," he insisted, his voice almost pleading. "Just five minutes."
Christian glanced at me, silently asking if I wanted him to stay. I gave him a nod of reassurance. "It's fine. I'll handle it."
With one last look at Louis, Christian walked back inside, leaving us alone.
Louis hesitated before speaking. "You look amazing tonight."
I rolled my eyes. "If you brought me out here just to compliment me, don't waste my time."
His jaw tightened. "I didn't mean for things to happen the way they did."
I let out a bitter laugh. "That's a weak excuse, Louis. You didn't just trip and fall into Delphine."
He winced. "I know. I messed up."
I tilted my head. "And now you regret it? Or are you just realizing that Delphine isn't what you thought she was?"
Louis didn't answer immediately, but his silence spoke volumes.
I smirked. "That's what I thought."
He ran a hand through his hair, looking more frustrated with himself than with me. "I just... I don't know why I did it. I don't know what I was thinking."
I studied him for a long moment before shaking my head. "That's your problem, Louis. You never think about the consequences of your actions."
I turned to leave, but before I could walk away, he grabbed my wrist. "Elise—"
I yanked my arm free. "Don't touch me. You lost that right the second you betrayed me."
His face fell. "I—"
I didn't let him finish. I walked away, my heels clicking against the floor, each step solidifying my decision.
There was no going back. Not for me. Not for us.
As I reentered the party, Deonne and Christian met me with knowing expressions. "You good?" Deonne asked.
I nodded. "More than good."
Christian smiled. "So what's next?"
I exhaled, my mind already shifting gears. "Now? Now we make sure Cassandra and Delphine don't take what's mine."
Deonne grinned. "Now that's the Elise I know."
As I stood among my friends, I felt something shift within me. This wasn't just about Louis or Delphine anymore. This was about me taking control of my own life.
And I wasn't going to lose again.