"Thalassa." Linda nodded slightly after several tensed seconds, her smile returning as she extended her hand. "I'm very glad you could make it."

"I'm sure you are." Thalassa's lips stretched into a smile as she took Linda's hand for a handshake. The handshake lingered a bit too long, so tense that everyone in the hall could feel it as the two women stared into each other's eyes.

Linda was the first to break the stare, pulling her hand back from Thalassa's grip. Thalassa's lips twitched in amusement.

"I'm happy you decided to do the right thing by clearing my name," Linda spoke evenly.

"Oh, I had to," Thalassa replied, her gaze sharpening despite her smile. "After all, that's what just people do. They expose the truth for everyone to see. Wouldn't you agree?"

Linda's smile faltered slightly, her eyes narrowing. "Yes, I agree."

They stared at each other again, the tension building until Susan and Cynthia appeared behind Linda. "Welcome to our party, Thalassa. We hope you have a good evening," Cynthia spoke.

Both women had smiles plastered on their faces, because Linda had warned them not to show any

hostility towards Thalassa, at least not until the company recovered further.

"Yes, Thalassa. Welcome. Good to see you again," Susan chimed in, though her tone was anything but warm.

To break the uncomfortable silence that had settled over the guests, Linda swept her eyes across the room. "Please, let's continue enjoying the party."

Immediately, the crowd resumed their conversations as if they hadn't been watching like vultures just moments ago.

"Kris tells me that the two of you are back together," Linda said, turning her attention back to Thalassa. "I assume that's why you decided to clear my name?"

"Yes." Thalassa smiled. "We're going to be family again soon. I hope I'll be treated better than before. Speaking of which, I never did get an apology for everything."

Linda stiffened, her nostrils flaring with barely concealed irritation. "I think it's better not to focus on the past too much, don't you dear?"

"Well, the Fashion Awards scandal is also in the past, isn't it? I wasn't obligated to clear your name, but I did it anyway."

Susan's smile slipped right off. "You're delusional if you think—"

"Susan!" Linda hissed, shooting her a warning glare before turning her forced smile back to Thalassa. "Thalassa is right. She does deserve an apology. We're sorry, Thalassa. We should have treated you better."

"Yes, we really are," Cynthia added quickly, following Linda's lead.

"All is forgiven." Thalassa's lips twitched in amusement. "After all, we're going to be family again soon, and family is the most important thing, isn't it?"

Inside, Linda was fuming, but she knew she had no choice. Her company's recovery still somehow depended on Thalassa's good graces.

"Why don't we take a picture together to mark this moment of reconciliation?" Linda asked sweetly. "I'd be glad to," Thalassa replied, matching Linda's sweet tone.

'Pictures, really? She's so predictable,' Luisa's voice came through the tiny earbud hidden in Thalassa's ear. It was so small that Thalassa's hair covered it perfectly.

Linda beckoned a man holding a camera over, and Susan and Cynthia stepped aside while Thalassa and Linda stood side by side for the picture.

As soon as the picture was taken, guests began flocking toward Thalassa, eager to talk to her or snap a photo.

"She looks so arrogant," Susan muttered bitterly. "I can't believe you humiliated yourself like that, apologizing to her, Mum."

"What part of 'I need her' don't you understand, Susan?" Linda hissed.

"So, you are really going to let her get back with Kris?" Susan pressed.noveldrama

Linda scoffed. “Of course not. As

soon as my company recovers enough, I'll show her why she should never have messed with me. But for now, we have to keep being nice to her is that clear?"

Off to the side, Kris nursed a glass of wine, frustration boiling inside him.

once before turning away,

Thalassa had glanced at net

completely ignoring him. How Could

she pretend so well, as if nothing

was between them?

All Kris wanted was to go over to her, hold her, kiss her. But she seemed content with mingling, smiling for

the cameras, and engaging with the other guests.

Contrary to Kris's thoughts,

Thalassa was far from content. She

was exhausted. Most of these people had treated her like dirt when she was the daughter in law of the Miller family. And yet now that she had power and influence, they were albacting as if they had liked her from the start.

Tired of the fake smiles and empty words, she excused herself and quickly moved to the side, catching

the attention of a waiter and grabbing a glass of wine from his tray.

"Do you want me to do it now?" Luisa's voice came through the earbud again.

They had hacked into the mansion's electrical system. With just a push of a button, Luisa could cut the

lights, giving Thalassa enough time to slip away upstairs without being seen.

"Not yet," Thalassa murmured softly. "I only just arrived. It would be suspicious. I'll tell you when it's time." "Who are you talking to?" a voice startled her from behind.

Thalassa spun around, her heart skipping a beat as she came face to face with Kris.