Chapter 27
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The gala was a massive success, raising millions for the new scholarship fund. As the evening wound down and the guests began to filter out into the warm spring night, I found myself standing alone on the terrace, holding a glass of sparkling cider, looking up at the stars.
"It was a beautiful speech, Claire."
I turned around, a genuine smile breaking across my face. Liam Hayes was standing in the doorway of the terrace, looking impossibly handsome in a tailored black tuxedo.
"Liam," I breathed, walking over to him. "I didn't know you were on the guest list."
"Your grandmother sent me a rather demanding invitation," Liam chuckled, stepping out onto the terrace. "She strongly suggested that if I didn't attend, she would buy my investigation firm and fire me."
I laughed loudly, the sound echoing lightly in the quiet night. "That sounds exactly like Margaret. I'm glad you came."
"I wouldn't have missed it," Liam said, his gaze locking onto mine. The intensity was still there, but it was tempered with a deep, patient warmth. "You look stunning tonight, Claire. You look... happy."
"I am," I admitted, looking back out over the gardens. "For a long time, I felt like I was just holding my breath, waiting for the next disaster to strike. First Patricia, then Julian. But now... I finally feel like I can just breathe."
Liam stepped closer, standing beside me at the stone balustrade.
"You fought your wars, and you won them all," Liam said softly. "You built an empire of good out of the ashes. What happens now?"
May you like
I looked at him, feeling that familiar, quiet spark of electricity between us. I wasn't rushing into anything, and Liam knew that. He was a man who understood patience, a man who respected the journey I was on.
"Now?" I smiled, leaning slightly against his arm. "Now, I think I'm just going to enjoy the peace."
