The moment she entered the ballroom—
Emily felt it.
Not attention.
Not curiosity.
Something sharper.
Focus.
Someone was watching her.
Not casually.
Not socially.
But deliberately.
She walked beside Alexander, her posture controlled, her expression calm.
But inside—
Her mind was scanning everything.
Every face.
Every movement.
Every reaction.
Then—
She saw him.
Across the room.
Standing near the back.
Not dressed like the others.
Too simple.
Too quiet.
And yet—
Everything about him stood out.
Because he wasn't looking at the event.
He was looking at her.
Directly.
Their eyes met.
And he didn't look away.
Emily's heartbeat slowed.
Not faster.
Slower.
Focused.
Controlled.
That was him.
She knew it.
Without a doubt.
The man behind everything.
The one they called—
Director.