The banquet stirred back to life, but Yue Ning's gaze drifted once more toward Madam Lu.
As if sensing it, Madam Lu suddenly lifted her head. Their eyes met across the hall.
Yue Ning stilled. Her chest tightened, her breath caught.
In Madam Lu's eyes, for the briefest heartbeat, something flickered. Surprise, shock, before vanishing behind a calm smile. She turned away as though nothing had happened.
Yue Ning's hand curled into a fist beneath the table. A chill slipped down her spine. No… it can't be.
Beside her, Huo Feng had already noticed. His gaze followed hers, then darkened.
Before Yue Ning could think further, the crisp sound of glass tapping echoed through the hall. Lu Jiang had raised his wine.
"Everyone, let us offer a toast to my wife's health, and to brighter days ahead!"
Laughter and applause rippled through the guests as they lifted their glasses. Yue Ning forced herself to do the same, though her hand trembled faintly around the stem.
