The White Comet’s initial arrival had drawn startled stares as many who hadn’t stepped outside wondered what the commotion was about. In due time, some Union officers explained what had happened, calming the influential family members, major business owners, and media representatives who were present.
The grand hall was an impressive sight, its high ceilings lit by beautiful chandeliers casting a soft, warm glow over the space.
The walls were lined with complex patterns of deep blue and gold, giving the room an air of elegance and authority.
Large banners displaying the Union’s insignia draped from the pillars, reminding all present of the organization’s influence.
Clusters of people from every corner of Megacity high society mingled about, their attire ranging from sleek formalwear to more extravagant, custom-made designs, each representing their guilds or family’s wealth and status.
Laughter and small conversations filled the air as influential figures shook hands, exchanged glances, and leaned in close to discuss partnerships, strategies, or perhaps rumors circulating in the city.
Lady Aiko turned to Alister, a calm yet firm expression on her face. “We’ll be leaving you on your own for a while. This early part of the grand meeting is usually set aside for members to mingle, make introductions, and forge alliances.”
She adjusted her glasses, her eyes narrowed, her gaze slightly intense as she spoke. “Remember, you’re only here to converse. No signing any agreements or making vocal promises to anything that sounds remotely suspicious.”
Yuuto chuckled beside her, shaking his head. “Relax, Aiko. You’re acting like Alister’s a kid. He’s not stupid.”
Lady Aiko gave Alister one last, assessing look before nodding. “Remember, keep it light and diplomatic, Alister. This is all about networking and introductions; nothing binding yet.”
A faint smile played at Alister’s lips as he glanced between them. “Don’t worry. I’ll be careful.”
With that, she turned and strode off with Master Yuuto, who gave Alister a relaxed nod, clearly less concerned than Aiko. As they walked away, Hiroshi joined Alister’s side briefly, grinning.
“Don’t do anything too crazy while you’re on your own,” Hiroshi said, his grin widening. Alister raised an eyebrow, a look of amusement flashing in his eyes. “Define ‘crazy.””
Hiroshi shrugged, feigning innocence. “No clue. I don’t do crazy things.”
Alister chuckled, nodding as Hiroshi gave him a playful salute before heading after Aiko and Yuuto. “Noted,” Alister called after him, a faint smile on his face.
Now left alone in the grand hall, Alister stood with Cinder by his side. Her eyes scanned the buzzing room, her expression a mix of curiosity and impatience.
“Do you know how long we’re supposed to stand here?” she asked, her gaze flicking up to him.
Alister shook his head. “It’s my first time here, so your guess is as good as mine.” As a Union server passed by, he motioned to them. “Could I get a glass of juice?”
The server nodded with a quick, polite smile, handing Alister a glass before moving along. Alister looked down into the drink, catching his reflection in the amber liquid. The anticipation, curiosity, and faint nervous energy in the room seemed to buzz all around him. “One thing I am certain of,” he said quietly, almost to himself as he observed his own reflection, “is that tonight might not be as straightforward as it may have been in the past.” “I can tell because I can practically feel it,” he said as he narrowed his gaze, his expression becoming a bit cold and detached.
With a calm sigh, he took a sip, savoring the cool, crisp taste as he prepared himself for the evening ahead.
As Alister took another sip of his juice, he noticed a small group of young women approaching.
They were elegantly dressed, each in attire that practically radiated the status and influence of their respective families.
They walked toward him confidently-clearly accustomed to gatherings like these, where power and charm often mingled in subtle ways.
One of the girls, with auburn hair swept back in a beautiful braid, took the lead. “Good evening, Alister, isn’t it?” she spoke with a bright smile. “I’m Kaela Ashford, of the Ashford Group. My family manages several prominent resorts and hospitality chains across the Megacity.”
A second girl, with striking platinum hair that caught the light, joined in. “I’m Livia Green. My family runs GreenTech Innovations. We’re focused on bioengineering advancements-mostly in agriculture. It’s a pleasure to finally meet you in person; we’ve heard so much.”
The third, a brunette with a hint of boldness in her gaze, leaned in, eyes twinkling. “And I’m Selene Torrence. My family deals in high-end fashion, luxury goods-basically all the things that make this place sparkle.”
Alister gave a courteous nod to each of them, with a warm smile on his face. “The pleasure’s mine, ladies.”
They exchanged pleased glances with one another, eager to continue. Kaela looked at him admiringly. “We’ve been hearing how impressive you are. It’s incredible how quickly you’ve made a name for yourself. Quite the reputation for… handling challenges.”
“Indeed,” Livia added, her tone hinting at admiration. “It’s rare to see someone so composed and capable. You must have trained for years to have that level of skill.”
Selene smiled mischievously, her gaze running over him briefly before landing back on his face. “And you’re… very easy on the eyes. I take it you’re still single?”
“Or is it really true you have chosen your dragon?”
Alister chuckled softly, sensing the small shift in their questioning. He gazed at her confidently but tactfully redirected the conversation.
“I appreciate the compliment. However, I imagine someone as involved in high fashion as yourself must see people with unique styles every day. Speaking of which, I’d love to hear more about what’s trending in your industry right now. Your family’s brand always has that
edge.”
Selene’s eyes lit up, clearly pleased he’d shown interest in her work. “Oh, absolutely! This season has been all about merging classic elegance with tech-infused designs. Our latest collection includes interactive fabrics that adjust to body temperature, if you can believe it.” As she launched into more details, Kaela and Livia joined in, talking excitedly about their respective industries.
Alister nodded along, fully engaged in their conversations, inwardly relieved at having smoothly steered the attention back onto them.
