The party was hosted by Reagan Grant, the executive director of Grant Holdings.
Roseanne hadn't realized they would be traveling by private jet, though it made sense considering the venue was in another city. It was a relief that Emma was available to look after Kaden since Roseanne might not return until well past midnight.
She was now sitting right next to Czar, wearing the white dress he had sent her yesterday. It clung to her body featuring a low back that left most of her back exposed. A high slit on the side revealed her right leg extending all the way up to her thigh.
"I thought you'd come alone," a heavy voice greeted.
Reagan Grant, who had earlier stood at the center of the hall to greet the guests, now took a seat beside Czar.
"Roseanne Leclair, Genevieve's secretary," Czar introduced her.
She offered a polite smile. "It's a pleasure to meet you, Mr. Grant."
"The pleasure is mine, Ms. Leclair. I hope you're enjoying yourself."
"I am, very much. Everything is remarkable," she replied warmly.
It truly was. From the elegant decorations and the carefully arranged food and drinks, to the attentive waiters who never let a plate sit empty, the mingling guests, the soft lighting, and the music flowing through the room, everything felt warm, inviting, and luxurious.
"I hope you don't find it too hard to handle this guy," Reagan joked, nodding toward Czar.
Roseanne almost laughed because she had indeed been struggling to adjust to him. If she could, she would let everyone know just how difficult he was to please.
Before she could answer, Czar's eyes snapped to Reagan. "Don't talk nonsense."
Reagan snorted lightly then glanced around the room before his expression turned serious. "Do you want to deal with him now?"
"Where is he?" Czar asked, taking a slow sip of his drink.
"I'll take you," Reagan said, rising from his seat.
Roseanne tried to focus on her own drink and not to overhear, until Czar's calloused hand slid into the slit of her dress, giving her thigh a light squeeze. Goosebumps prickled her skin.
"I need to take care of something," Czar whispered, his face just inches from hers. "Wait here and don't speak to anyone. If someone talks to you, answer briefly and excuse yourself immediately."
Her cheeks burned. "Understood."
"Be good while I'm away."
"Yes, sir," she murmured, lowering her head slightly in a small nod.
Roseanne remained at the round table, sitting alone after Czar left with Reagan. He looked like he had important matters to deal with, things she was probably better off not knowing.
She was focused on sipping her drink when a man slid into the seat Czar had just left.
"Are you Mr. Romano's secretary?" he asked.
"Yes…?" Roseanne hesitated, caught off guard by the sudden conversation, before answering, "Yes, I'm here with Mr. Romano."
The man smiled and offered a business card. "I'm Ethan Locke, from Santravia Hospital."
She took the card hesitantly, then fished out her own. "Roseanne Leclair."
It should be fine to give one, right? After this, she needed to excuse herself immediately before the conversation went any further.
"Oh, you're from Cyntara. You must be working with Ms. Gjorgiev, am I right?" Ethan asked warmly as he glanced at her business card.
"Yes, I'm actually Ms. Gjorgiev's secretary," Roseanne replied.
"I see. No wonder I haven't seen you before. Everyone knows everyone here, so a new face stands out," he said with a friendly smile.
Roseanne returned the smile politely. "I'm only accompanying Mr. Romano temporarily, so I won't be around often."
Ethan glanced at her nearly empty glass, then offered, "Would you like to join us? I can introduce you to the other secretaries."
She followed his gaze to the food table. Three people were chatting there. The secretaries were likely mingling while their bosses were busy taking the opportunity to build connections.
At that moment, Roseanne glanced at her phone as if she had just received a message. "I'm sorry, Mr. Locke. I would love to join but Mr. Romano needs me right now."
They both rose from their seats, and Ethan's reassuring smile made him seem genuinely warm. "Don't worry. I'm sure there'll be another chance to meet. I'll introduce you then."
"Thank you, that would be wonderful. Please enjoy yourself, Mr. Locke," she excused herself gracefully.
"You too, Ms. Leclair. Have a good night."
Roseanne immediately stepped out of the hall and into the garden. She had noticed it earlier right after she arrived, the garden was decorated with small lamps and quiet. A perfect hiding spot.
Only two others were there, lingering as if they had slipped out for the same reason. She closed her eyes and took a deep breath, letting the calm of the garden wash over her.
If she wasn't meant to speak to anyone, why had Czar brought her here in the first place? It wasn't as if he didn't already have a personal aide to attend these events.
So what was she even doing here?
"I thought I saw a familiar face," a voice said and Roseanne's eyes snapped open. She turned toward it, finding a man was walking closer with a wide grin spreading across his face. "I was right," he added.
As the dim light fell on him, her stomach tightened.
It was a familiar face, all right.
"Mr. Mancini," she greeted, keeping her tone polite.
Matteo Mancini, Galen's distant cousin. Roseanne had only met him once, back when her sister Brielle was supposed to marry him. The Mancini family had just lost their chairman a few weeks ago and the heirs were now deciding who would take over the position. Matteo was one of them.
"What's my dear cousin's ex-wife doing here?"
There was a sharpness in his voice as if he had caught Roseanne somewhere she wasn't supposed to be, doing something she wasn't meant to do.
"I'm here to accompany my boss," she answered.
"Right. Where do you work again?"
"Cyntara Tech."
"What?" Matteo raised an eyebrow, his gaze sharp. "Who did you come with?"
Roseanne's stomach tightened. The terrace was quiet but that only made the encounter feel worse. Should she just run away and head back inside?
"I'm with Mr. Romano," she said.
Matteo's laugh erupted immediately, loud and unrestrained. It went on for a while and Roseanne couldn't help but wonder if anyone inside had heard it.
When he finally stopped, he stepped closer. He was taller than she remembered, his lean frame looming over her.
"Brielle was right. You really are innocent… and lost," he said, his voice dropping into something darker and more serious this time.
He stared sharply into her eyes, the earlier manic laughter gone. His hand reached up and tapped her cheek firmly a few times.
"If you're in the enemy's territory, at the very least be useful to us."
Enemy?
Roseanne reacted quickly, grabbing his hand. "Mr. Mancini, I know you probably resent me after the divorce with your cousin, but that doesn't give you the right to disrespect me."
He snorted and let his gaze rake over her from head to toe, licking his lips as a smirk curled across his face. "You sisters are both sluts, huh."
Roseanne pressed her lips together, her heart pounding and mind racing. But before she could respond, another voice cut through the air.
"Get off her, Matteo."