Chapter 55 Shattered Facades

• Back in the dining room, the air felt heavier. The glow of the chandelier cast soft shadows on the walls, and the only sound was the faint clink of Yulia’s glass as she swirled the remaining wine.
• Lorenzo sat across from her, his expression calm, but his dark eyes held a guarded glint. Yulia, now fully intoxicated, was past pleasantries or subtlety. Her inhibitions melted by the alcohol, she leaned forward, resting her elbows on the table.
• "Lorenzo," she began, her voice tinged with both curiosity and accusation, "are you hiding something from me?"