Evening descended slowly across the university grounds beneath a sky painted in deep silver and fading blue while hundreds of golden lights shimmered elegantly across the grand gala hall standing at the center of campus like something stolen from an old aristocratic dream, and beyond the enormous glass windows laughter drifted softly into the cooling night air beside the distant melody of violins echoing through open doors.
Students crowded the marble entrance in expensive dresses and dark formal suits while camera flashes burst endlessly beneath hanging chandeliers, excitement and gossip flowing through the gathering like sparkling wine poured carelessly between eager hands.
The annual Founder's Gala always carried importance.
Prestige.
Status.
Tonight, however—
Something else lingered beneath the celebration.
Tension.
Invisible yet unmistakable.
Because rumors surrounding Elara had already infected the campus completely.
The rooftop incident.
The online photographs.
