Chapter 76: The Matchmaker’s Soirée
The grand ballroom of Château de Lumière glowed with the soft light of crystal chandeliers, their brilliance reflecting off polished marble floors and gilded mirrors. The room was filled with elegance—tables draped in pristine white linens, glasses of champagne catching the light, and attendees dressed to the nines. The air buzzed with the low hum of laughter, conversation, and the occasional clink of a glass.
Ava stepped into the room, her black evening gown brushing the floor as her heels clicked against the tiles. She glanced around, her eyes darting over the crowd of impeccably dressed matchmakers, clients, and a smattering of French socialites. For all its beauty, the room felt daunting. The competition had officially begun, and every conversation, every interaction, felt like it carried the weight of judgment.
Ryan appeared at her side, tugging lightly at the collar of his suit. "Well, this is... something," he said, surveying the scene.
"You clean up nicely," Ava replied, glancing at him. She tried to keep her tone neutral, but it was hard to ignore how the sharp cut of his tuxedo emphasized his broad shoulders and easy confidence.
Ryan smirked, catching the edge in her tone. "You’re not so bad yourself, Matchmaker. That dress could stop traffic."
Ava flushed slightly but rolled her eyes. "Focus, Ryan. We’re not here to turn heads."
"Speak for yourself," Ryan teased, adjusting his cufflinks. "I’m just here to make sure you don’t overthink your way out of having fun."
"Fun," Ava repeated dryly, scanning the room. "Right. Because that’s what this is."
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Mei’s Champagne Surprise
Ava and Ryan hadn’t taken more than a few steps into the ballroom before Mei swept over to them, her floral shawl trailing behind her like a cape. She had somehow already acquired a flute of champagne in each hand, and her grin was wide with mischief.