Chapter 5 The Performance and Cracks

"And we shall all raise our glasses and cheer to that!"

Nina turned quickly toward the speaker, her eyes locking with Axel's. His expression was unreadable, but there was something in his gaze-a glint of approval, or perhaps amusement-that left her both unsettled and oddly satisfied.

Waiters moved through the room, trays of wine glasses balanced effortlessly in their hands. The soft clink of crystal broke the stillness as glasses were lifted. When a tray passed her, she reached for a glass, the cool surface grounding her.

Axel's bold interjection had shattered the tension, turning the moment into something more than just an announcement. It felt monumental.

She raised her glass, mirroring the gesture of the room, the crystal catching the light as it tilted upward. The path ahead was still shrouded in uncertainty, but for now, she had done what was needed. She had delivered a performance worthy of the name Adelaide Whitlock.

After the glass-clinking cheers subsided, the room seamlessly shifted into a celebratory mood. Laughter and conversation filled the air, but Nina's attention was drawn to movement nearby. Mrs. Whitlock, her posture rigid and her strides purposeful, was making her way toward the grand staircase. Mr. Whitlock followed close behind, his expression unreadable.

She froze, watching their retreating figures disappear up the stairs. Their abrupt departure left her rooted in place, her thoughts racing. Had she said something wrong during the speech? Had she unintentionally gone too far?

Before she could untangle her thoughts, Frederick and his wife, Salome, approached.

"Niece," Frederick said warmly, his voice cutting through her spiraling confusion. "It's so good to see that you're well and alive."

Nina forced a polite but strained smile. "Uncle. Salome. It's wonderful to see you again."

They leaned in, offering the customary familial kisses, and she obliged, the gesture feeling mechanical, as though she had done it countless times before.

"Where's Jude?" she asked, steering the conversation to safer ground, relying on the lines she had rehearsed so thoroughly that they now came naturally. "I thought he'd be here, but I haven't seen him."

Jude-her cousin, at least in name. The man whose history she had studied alongside Adelaide's. From the notes and lessons drilled into her, she knew he was a wildcard in the intricate web of family politics. If she hadn't stepped into Adelaide's role so quickly after her death, Jude's family might have been next in line to take center stage. His strong personality and popularity made him a formidable contender. Unless the other powerful families had united to label him incompetent, the superior power might have gone to Frederick Whitlock's side of the family.

And yet, from everything she had read, Jude was well-loved. A natural charmer, he mingled effortlessly with everyone, showing no preference for class or status. He was, undeniably, a people's person. Truth be told, he was one of the few people she had been genuinely curious to meet.

Frederick chuckled, his tone lighthearted. "Ah, Jude. You know how he is. Always on the move." He gestured toward a far corner of the room. "There he is, with his group of friends. Always the charmer, that one. That boy never ceases to amaze us, even as his parents."

Nina followed Frederick's gaze, and there he was-Jude. He was surrounded by a group of people, laughing easily, his charisma practically radiating from him. But something else caught her attention-something that made her breath hitch.

Jude wasn't just with any group of friends. He was with them. The wolves. Lily and that strange man who had smirked at her earlier.

She blinked, stunned, her thoughts scrambling to process what she was seeing. What was Jude doing with the wolves? Not just casually near them, but openly engaging with them like old friends?

Had Adelaide known about this? Shouldn't Jude have been on her side, standing firmly with those she trusted? Shouldn't he have liked who she liked and despised who she despised? That was the expectation, wasn't it?

And yet, here he was, laughing with people who should have been Adelaide's adversaries.

A creeping sense of unease settled over Nina. Why hadn't Adele-Adelaide's AI, her digital shadow-warned her about this? If Jude was this close to the wolves, what else might she have missed?

She remained speechless, frozen in place, watching Jude laugh and chat easily with his group of friends. And then, just as she was trying to process the scene, his eyes met hers. His already bright smile widened, transforming his face with unmistakable warmth. With a quick pat on Lily's shoulder, he excused himself and strode toward her.

"Cousin!" he called out, his arms spreading wide as he approached. "Now it's my turn. Can I have my hug?"

For a moment, Nina didn't know what to do or say. Her mind raced to come up with a response. The script was useless now-she had to improvise.

"I was just talking about you with your parents," she managed, striving for casualness. "They told me you'd rather spend time with your friends than with me."

Jude threw his head back and laughed, the sound rich and unguarded. "And did they also tell you I'm plotting with them to steal you away so you don't have to marry Axel next month?"

"Wait. What?" The word escaped before she could stop it, her shock far too real. Marry Axel? Adelaide was engaged? No one had told her. Why was she finding out like this?

Jude's laughter faded, replaced by a frown of confusion. Beside him, Frederick and Salome exchanged puzzled glances, their expressions mirroring their son's. They were all staring at her now, trying to make sense of her reaction.

Nina struggled to rein in her emotions, but her mind was spinning. Instinctively, her gaze drifted toward the Graves table. Axel was there, his family engaged in lively conversation, but unlike them, he wasn't distracted. His attention was solely on her.

Oh no. He was watching her again.

It was the same piercing, unsettling gaze as before, as if he could see past her practiced demeanor and straight into the truth she was hiding. Her heart raced, and she quickly averted her eyes, unable to withstand the weight of his stare.

He knew. Or at least, he suspected. She could feel it in the way his gaze lingered-heavy, unrelenting. He was waiting for a moment alone with her, and she dreaded it.

The rest of her conversation with Jude and his family blurred into meaningless noise. She nodded and smiled in all the right places, but she wasn't fully present. Her mind kept circling back to Axel and the unnerving realization that she wasn't as prepared as she had thought.

More families stepped forward, ready to greet her, their smiles pleasant, but their eyes sharp, scanning her for cracks in her facade. They left her no space to breathe, no chance to recover. The effort of maintaining Adelaide's charm and poise was beginning to wear on her.

Almost an hour passed, yet more families lined up, each eager for their turn. Sweat prickled at her skin, exhaustion and anxiety pooling inwardly. She wished-prayed-that someone, anyone, would come to her rescue.

Just as she felt on the brink of collapse, a deep male voice cut through the chatter.

"Sorry, everyone, but time's up. I need my fiancée now."