Chapter 424
Chapter 424:
The moment Alma and Kristine stepped out of the car, the air around them was filled with nothing but cheering for Elyse.
“Has Elyse arrived yet? I don’t see her anywhere!” someone in the crowd called out.
“She’ll be here. She’s done so much to bring Rymonst culture to the world — she’ll make an entrance, just you wait p>
“Everyone calls her a cultural leader, but does anyone actually know what she does p>
“I have no idea, but she wouldn’t be at an event this size without having accomplished something extraordinary p>
𝗢𝗿𝗴а𝘯𝘪z𝘦 𝘆𝗼𝘂𝗿 𝗹𝗂𝖻𝘳а𝘳𝗒 𝗈n
“I heard she was the one who organized this entire event herself p>
Kristine was so struck by what she was hearing that her foot slipped on the step. She caught herself just in time.
Alma was equally stunned, and for a moment appeared to have lost the ability to form words. She tightened her grip on Kristine’s hand and pulled her forward, walking faster toward the main hall.
Once they had cleared security, Alma bypassed the gathering on the ground floor entirely and steered Kristine toward the upper level. They had only climbed a few steps when a wave of noise rose up from below.
“Elyse! We love you p>
“You look absolutely beautiful p>
“You’re such a wonderful person p>
Kristine paused and looked back toward the entrance.
Elyse had arrived, flanked by a ring of bodyguards. She wore a simple white gown that swept the floor, its clean lines making her look, from a distance, like something untouchable. Her hair was arranged in a loose, soft bun with a few strands left to fall around her face — an effect that managed to appear both effortless and carefully constructed, projecting a kind of fragile sweetness that made everyone around her want to step closer.
Standing just behind Kristine, Alma murmured, “What a manipulative performance p>
Kristine glanced back at her, caught off guard by the bluntness.
“Don’t be surprised,” Alma said evenly. “I’m only saying what you’re already thinking. She’s acting p>
“You can actually tell?” Kristine asked.
“When I was chasing Asher, I encountered women like her constantly. All softness and vulnerability when there’s an audience, and something else entirely the moment the attention shifts. There’s actually a name for that kind of personality.” Alma looked down at Elyse with undisguised contempt. “I genuinely cannot understand what Colton sees in her p>
Kristine gave a quiet, knowing smile. “Let’s keep moving p>
Alma nodded and led her on.
Even without looking, they could hear the crowd below pressing around Elyse, calling for photographs and autographs. Alma turned a corner, and a wall rose between them and the noise, muffling it to a distant hum.
After a few more turns, Alma stopped. “Here we are p>
Kristine looked at the door in front of them, uncertain what waited behind it.
Alma smiled, the expression carrying a kind of quiet satisfaction. “Go in on your own. I’ll leave you to it p>
Kristine nodded. Once Alma had gone, she pushed the door open — and stopped breathing for a moment.
The room was filled with ancient treasures.