At that moment, when William's words echoed through the grand hall, a heavy silence fell across the room.
The gentle background music faded into a distant hum in everyone's ears. All eyes were wide, mouths slightly agape, and postures stiffened with disbelief.
"What did William just say?"
No one moved not even the waiters who had been walking through the aisles with silver trays. It was as if the whole room had been frozen in place by that single revelation.
The Victor family wasn't giving out the mega contract tonight? They had not selected James yet?
And worse… the contract was still open for another month?
People began whispering among themselves in low, urgent tones, their voices heavy with confusion and disbelief.
This wasn't how it was supposed to go. No this wasn't how they heard about it.
