Chapter 90: Margaux’s Big Test
The air inside the grand ballroom of L’Amour Élite was thick with anticipation. Unlike the previous matchmaking challenges, which had involved detailed profiles, compatibility tests, and carefully selected client pairings, today’s event was entirely different.
Margaux Duval stood at the front of the room, poised as ever in a silk cream-colored dress, her sleek bob perfectly styled. She held a single white envelope in her manicured hands, her expression unreadable as she surveyed the competitors before her.
"Today’s challenge," she began, her voice carrying effortlessly across the room, "is a true test of instinct, perception, and connection."
Ava shifted beside Ryan, her fingers tightening around the edge of her notebook. She could already tell this was going to be different.
Margaux continued, "There will be no profiles. No background checks. No statistics. No algorithms. Just people." She gestured to the back of the ballroom, where a set of double doors opened to reveal a gathering of men and women, each one looking uncertain, hesitant—even nervous. "These individuals have agreed to trust us, the world’s best matchmakers, to find them a connection. You will have thirty minutes to interview as many clients as possible. Then, you must make your matches based only on what you observe."
A ripple of murmurs spread through the room.
Julian, standing at the opposite end, scoffed under his breath. Ava caught the brief smirk he exchanged with Ethan before turning his attention back to Margaux.
"Sounds simple enough," Julian said smoothly.
Margaux smiled, but there was a sharp edge to it. "It is not simple, monsieur. A true matchmaker sees beyond words, beyond presentation, beyond the obvious." She turned her gaze to Ava. "Some of you already know this. Others... will struggle."
Ava didn’t miss the pointed look she cast toward Julian.
Ryan nudged Ava playfully. "You got this."