Chapter 29

Evelyn stepped out of Vivian's office, closing the door firmly behind her.

The signed document in her hand made her lips curl in satisfaction. Dealing with fools was becoming tiresomely predictable.

Her phone buzzed with an incoming call from Sophia.

She waited until reaching the stairwell before answering. "Soph?"

"Zoe! You absolutely must come with me to Uncle Felix's birthday gala tonight!" Sophia's excited voice crackled through the speaker. "I may have told Daddy I'd bring the legendary designer Zara. He's been dying to meet you for ages!"

Evelyn hesitated. "But I don't even know the Bouchers..."

"That's what I'm here for!" Sophia chirped. "Now that you're back in Cornelia, you need to expand your social circle. Who knows? You might find your perfect match tonight!"

"A mother of three doesn't have perfect matches," Evelyn sighed.

"Don't be ridiculous! Please say you'll come?" Sophia wheedled.

As always, Evelyn found herself unable to refuse her best friend's persistent requests.

The Regal Ballroom glittered with opulence for Felix Boucher's birthday celebration. The Bouchers represented true aristocracy in Cornelia's high society - their political influence making even the powerful Goldmann family tread carefully around them. While the Goldmanns dominated commerce, the Bouchers ruled the political arena, creating a delicate balance between the two dynasties.

Everyone knew the Bouchers had two sons. The eldest, Adrian Boucher, was Zlokova's reigning box office king - an A-list actor with multiple international awards, a platinum-selling recording artist, and major shareholder in Royal Crown Entertainment.

This was clearly no ordinary social gathering. "Hurry up, Zoe!" Sophia called from the grand staircase, impatiently waving Evelyn forward. When Evelyn finally emerged from the car, Sophia's jaw dropped.

Evelyn's midnight blue gown shimmered with golden embroidery, the plunging neckline and fitted bodice accentuating her graceful silhouette. The skirt flared dramatically, its intricate gold-threaded patterns catching the light like constellations. Diamond floral earrings swayed with her movements, complementing the celestial theme. With her artfully applied makeup, she resembled a goddess stepped straight from a Renaissance painting.

"Close your mouth before you catch flies," Evelyn teased, tapping Sophia's chin with her clutch.

Sophia pretended to swoon against her shoulder. "Why wasn't I born male? It's criminal that some lucky bastard gets to marry you someday."

Evelyn laughed, looping her arm through Sophia's. "Gender reassignment surgery exists, you know. Your father might actually prefer having a son."

Sophia stuck out her tongue and pulled Evelyn toward the entrance. Heads turned as they passed - men staring in open admiration, women with barely concealed envy. Evelyn moved through the crowd like a beam of moonlight, impossible to ignore amidst the sea of socialites.

"Told you bringing you would make an impact," Sophia whispered smugly. Compared to Evelyn's effortless elegance, Vivian might as well have been invisible.

"These aren't your average social climbers," Evelyn observed, taking in the distinguished guests.

"Obviously! Only the crème de la crème receive Boucher invitations. The Vanderbilts wouldn't normally make the cut." Sophia paused, then amended, "Well, except you. You're here as Zara - the royal court's favorite designer from Stoslo. That trumps any family name."

Evelyn arched an eyebrow. "Last I checked, Vanderbilt was still my surname."

"You're different," Sophia insisted. "You earned your place here."