THE restaurant was alive with music, laughter, and clinking glasses. Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling, casting soft, golden light across the marble-topped tables. Outside, the city glittered like a thousand stars reflected on the glass buildings, but inside, Charles sat comfortably, a glass of deep red wine in his hand, leaning back in his chair as though the world belonged to him.
Across the table, two of his closest friends, Julian and Marcus, each had an arm around a stunning lady whose elegance seemed to shift with every gesture, like water flowing effortlessly. Their dresses shimmered under the light, their hair perfectly styled, and the confidence in their smiles spoke volumes. They laughed at a joke Julian had just cracked, tilting their heads back in unison, their jeweled
