Page 82 of King of Ruin

"Oh, Elise..."

Without thinking, she reached across the small distance between them and took Elise's hand, squeezing it gently. "I'm so sorry."

Juliet looked equally stricken.

"I shouldn't have said that."

"It's alright."

Elise's smile returned almost immediately, warm enough to reassure both of them.

"It happened a long time ago."

She glanced out toward the endless ocean before looking back at them.

"I love my new parents more," she declared.

That earned a genuine laugh from Elise, easing the heaviness between them.

A few minutes later, the conversation naturally split apart as more guests began recognizing the men.

"Elias!"

Someone across the deck raised a hand, beckoning him over.

Almost at the same time another businessman clapped Cassian on the shoulder, laughing as he pulled him into another discussion about investments. With quiet apologies to the women, both men excused themselves and disappeared into the growing clusters of billionaires scattered across the yacht.

Xavier didn't remain long either.

One of the senior executives hosting the evening approached him, speaking quietly enough that Elise couldn't hear the conversation. Xavier listened without interrupting, his silver glasses catching the sunlight as he turned his head toward the man. After a brief nod, his gaze instinctively found Elise.

"I'll only be a minute."

His hand brushed lightly against the small of her back as he walked past her before following the executive toward another group gathered near the upper deck.

Elise watched him disappear into the crowd.

When she turned back, she found Juliet still staring after Xavier, her expression slowly changing. The amusement that had filled her face moments ago disappeared, replaced by a noticeable frown.

"...By the way."

Juliet looked back at Elise, her voice unexpectedly serious.

"I've been meaning to say this all evening."

She let out a long sigh before taking a sip of champagne.

"I'm really sorry about that prank Cassian pulled on you."

Elise blinked.

Juliet shook her head, still unable to believe it herself.

"The whole thing was unbelievably stupid."

Her free hand sliced through the air in frustration.

"Asking you to take the blame for a murder Xavier supposedly committed?" She scoffed. "When Cassian finally told me what they had done to you, I was so angry I could barely look at him."