Chapter 237

• The evening continued without any hitches. Laughter, champagne glasses clinking, and discreet conversations among the guests created a celebratory atmosphere. Antón, composed and in control, took a moment to step onto the stage and deliver a brief speech to the crowd of employees, partners, and other guests. His words were straightforward and devoid of embellishment, but the deep, confident voice that emanated from him managed to capture everyone's attention.
• As he finished, applause filled the room, and he returned to the attendees to continue conversations with some of his closest partners. Among them, Andrei and Irina. It was the latter who, taking advantage of the proximity, let her hand subtly slide down Antón's arm. No one noticed, except Nadine. Irritation pierced her like a bolt of lightning, but she made an effort not to show the slightest reaction, maintaining her cold and distant expression. She decided not to feed that sense of discomfort; she was not going to let it affect her. Instead of confronting the situation, she gracefully stood up from her chair and, taking advantage of the commotion, slipped away into the crowd.
• With each step she took, her mind was racing. She needed space, distance, anything that would separate her from the charged atmosphere of the room, the noise, and the constant presence of that man who, nevertheless, seemed to have an undeniable power over her. Antón Gnatovich, her husband, whom she was supposed to hate, one who, to her despair, was beginning to infiltrate every corner of her mind.