𝐂𝐡𝐚𝐩𝐭𝐞𝐫 12 ~ 𝐄𝐲𝐞𝐬 𝐀𝐜𝐫𝐨𝐬𝐬 𝐭𝐡𝐞 𝐁𝐚𝐥𝐥𝐫𝐨𝐨𝐦 ~

𝙳𝚒𝚖𝚒𝚝𝚛𝚒'𝚜 𝙾𝚏𝚏𝚒𝚌𝚎

The day was waning when Louis stepped into Dimitri’s office, the faint scent of expensive cologne following him. Dimitri sat behind his mahogany desk, jacket off, sleeves rolled neatly to his forearms, his attention fixed on a document spread open before him. The golden light of the late afternoon filtered through the blinds, striping his sharp features with shadows.

Louis cleared his throat softly, breaking the silence. “The guest list for tomorrow’s charity ball just came in. I thought you would want to take a look.”

Dimitri didn’t lift his head. “Anything I need to know?” His tone was casual, clipped, as though he were only half interested. But Louis knew him too well; his boss’s indifference was rarely real.

Louis smirked faintly as he set the folder down on the desk. “Your usual rivals will be there, no surprise. Politicians, CEOs, the press. But,” he paused deliberately, watching for a flicker of reaction, “Cassandra’s company has confirme