Chapter 214: Convergence

Chapter 214: Chapter 214: Convergence

"Alex probably thinks he just won the lottery," Jake said softly, leaning back into the leather seat as he digested the information.

"He believes he has the full weight of the Roys family standing behind him," Elizabeth said, her eyes calm and analytical. "Which brings me to tonight. Alex’s wedding reception at the Grand Pavilion."

Jake reached into his inner suit pocket, pulled out the gold-embossed invitation card, and set it on the glass table between them.

"Alex—or rather, his fiancee—sent this to my office yesterday," Jake said smoothly.

Elizabeth glanced down at the gold lettering. "A room filled with the Republic’s highest political figures and financial titans, all watching Alex celebrate a corporate merger." She raised her eyes back to Jake. "Derrick handed him those state logistics contracts to build a wall around your expansion routes. I thought you should know what you’re walking into."

"Is that why you brought me here? Just to warn me about your brother?" Jake asked with a faint smirk.

Elizabeth picked up her glass of water, taking a measured sip. "Consider it a courtesy. My brother plays a long game, and he uses people who don’t realize they’re being used. If you’re attending tonight, at least go in with your eyes open."

Jake picked up the invitation, sliding it back into his jacket pocket as he stood up.

"I appreciate the heads-up, Miss Roys," Jake said, buttoning his coat. "It should be an interesting evening."

Elizabeth watched him as he turned toward the exit, her face unreadable. She had risked a fight with Derrick to keep Jake active on the board, but as far as Jake was concerned, she was simply passing along high-level intelligence.

---

Earlier that afternoon, halfway through their shopping trip downtown, Catharine set down a silk dress sleeve and looked over at Aliya inside an exclusive high-end boutique.

"Seriously, Aliya, thank you so much for agreeing to help me out on such short notice," Catharine said, letting out a small sigh of relief. "I would have been completely lost trying to put something together by myself."

"Don’t worry about it," Aliya replied, turning a rack of evening gowns. "Besides, it’s my brother’s fault for dropping this on you with zero warning. He’s terrible at giving people a heads-up for formal events."

"Right?" Catharine laughed. "He just casually dropped it on me this morning like it was no big deal. I don’t even know whose wedding we’re going to!"

Aliya paused, her hand freezing on a hanger. For a fraction of a second, her shoulders tightened. She took a slow, quiet breath before turning to face Catharine. Though a polite smile remained fixed on her lips, a sudden, shadowed hurt flickered deep in her eyes before she quickly masked it behind a neutral tilt of her head.

"Wait... did Jake really not tell you?" Aliya asked softly.

"No," Catharine said, her smile fading as she picked up on the sudden shift in Aliya’s posture. "He just said we were going to a high-society reception tonight. Why? Do you know who it is?"

Aliya turned back to the dresses, her fingers tightening slightly around the edge of a velvet fabric as she kept her face away from Catharine.

"It’s Alex Livingston," Aliya said, her voice carrying a subtle, brittle stiffness despite her calm tone. "Alex and Anna Brodick."

Catharine’s eyes widened. The lighthearted mood completely drained from the air as the weight of the name settled between them. She knew the history—she knew Alex and she knew the deep, painful scar Alex had left on Aliya’s life.

"Alex?" Catharine repeated softly, her voice dropping into a tone of immediate regret. "Oh... I had no idea."

An uncomfortable tightness settled in Catharine’s chest. She stepped closer to Aliya, shaking her head firmly. "Look... if it’s Alex, we shouldn’t go. I’ll call Jake right now and tell him we’re staying home. He doesn’t need to be around that, and there’s no way we’re going to celebrate him."

Aliya cleared her throat quietly, forcing a softer, reassuring smile onto her face as she turned back around. The pain was still there behind her eyes, but her expression stayed firmly set.

"Cath, it’s fine," Aliya said, her tone steady as she brushed off the concern. "You don’t have to cancel."

"No, really, it’s completely out of the line," Catharine insisted. "Why would Jake even accept an invitation from Alex? It’s just going to be tense, and after everything... you don’t need to be reminded of him either."

"Catharine, listen to me," Aliya said gently, resting a hand on Catharine’s arm. "It’s completely fine. The past is in the past. Besides, you were the class representative back in university. Technically, you have every right to be at that reception as anyone else from your year. It would look like you’re hiding if you don’t show up even though you got an invitation."

Catharine bit her lip, still looking hesitant, but Aliya gave her arm a firm, supportive squeeze.

"Don’t let him hold any power over you or Jake," Aliya added, her voice clear and resolved. "Go."

Catharine looked at her for a long moment before letting out a quiet, reluctant sigh. "Are you sure?"

"Positive," Aliya said, pulling a floor-length emerald green dress from the rack and holding it up against Catharine to change the subject. "Now stop worrying about Alex and try this on. It’s going to look incredible on you."

Catharine took the dress, letting out a small laugh despite the lingering tension. "Fine. But Jake is paying for every single cent of this."

---

By late afternoon, Jake walked into the penthouse living room. Garment bags were folded over the chairs, and a few high-end shopping bags sat near the couch.

Catharine stepped out from the fitting room, wearing the floor-length emerald gown. It fit her perfectly, hugging her waist and flowing down cleanly to the floor.

She turned around as Jake walked in, raising her chin with a playful look. "Well? Does this meet your short-notice standards, Mr. Rivers?"

Jake stopped in his tracks, his eyes sweeping over her. A genuine, warm smile broke across his face. "You look incredible, Cath."

"Compliments won’t completely get you off the hook," Catharine said, stepping over and resting her hands against his chest. "Aliya and I spent hours running around downtown."

"And I made sure she used your card for every single piece," Aliya called out from the side, sitting on the sofa in her casual clothes with a smug grin. "Consider it a penalty fee."

"A price I’m more than happy to pay," Jake said smoothly. He glanced over at his sister. "You’re not coming with us?"

"Definitely not," Aliya said, waving her hand. "High-society corporate receptions sound exhausting. I’m staying right here, ordering takeout, and catching up on my shows. You two go."

Catharine looked up at Jake, her expression turning a little more serious. "Why didn’t you tell me whose wedding this was, Jake? Aliya had to tell me it was Alex."

Jake looked down at her, his posture relaxed and unbothered. "Because it doesn’t really matter whose it is. We got an invitation, so we’re attending. No reason to make a big production out of it."

Catharine searched his eyes for any sign of tension, but seeing how completely calm he was, she finally smiled and took his arm. "Alright then. Let’s go."

---

The Grand Pavilion was bathed in gold floodlights as dusk fell over the capital. Luxury sedans lined the circular driveway, dropping off government officials, sector heads, and prominent business figures for the Livingston-Brodick reception.

Inside the main ballroom, the room was packed. Waiters moved through the crowd with trays of champagne while a string quartet played from the balcony.

Alex Livingston stood near the central stage beside Anna Brodick. Alex wore a tailored black tuxedo, holding a glass of wine, his face full of quiet confidence.

"You’re in good spirits tonight, Alex," Arthur Livingston said, stepping up next to his son with a cigar in hand. "Half the Ministry of Commerce has already come over to congratulate us on securing the logistics grants."

"They know how big those tenders are, Father," Alex replied smoothly, taking a sip of wine. "With the Roys family handing us those routes, we control the northern corridor."

Anna Brodick scanned the entrance of the ballroom. "Your former university friend should be arriving soon. I believe you are aware that I sent him an invite."

Alex’s jaw tightened slightly, though a smug smile stayed on his face. "Let him come. Jake spent months playing the financial genius, running his little trading. Tonight, he walks into a room where I have the state’s backing."

"Keep your head on straight, Alex," Arthur advised quietly. "You’re running the family business now. Don’t get distracted by old rivalries."

"I’m not distracted," Alex said, his eyes fixed on the entrance. "I just want him to see how the board actually looks."

A sudden shift in chatter hummed near the front doors. Several guests turned their heads toward the arched entryway.

Jake Rivers walked into the Grand Pavilion.

He had Catharine on his arm, her emerald dress drawing immediate attention from the surrounding crowd. Jake was dressed in a sleek charcoal tuxedo, his posture completely relaxed, looking around the room with calm indifference.

Jake’s eyes met Alex’s across the room, his lips turning up into a faint, dry smile.

"Look at him," Catharine whispered softly, feeling Alex’s cold stare from the stage. "He looks like he thinks he owns the whole room."

"Let him enjoy it for a bit," Jake murmured back, his voice steady and calm. "It makes the fall a lot more noticeable."

---