Once the vehicle halted, Elliot turned toward Rosetta. Usually composed and unruffled, he now appeared a bit flustered. "Sierra needs us, Rosie. Do you mind if you go to the dinner on your own? When we're done, we'll come find you. Is that alright?"
You'll come to find me when you're done? Really?
She managed a calm smile and nodded. "Of course, I don't. Go on ahead."
Relieved by her understanding, Elliot sighed, looking momentarily reassured. "All right, then. Let's go."
As they hurried off, Rosetta's smile faded. Turning to the driver, she spoke with a cool detachment, "Let's go."
The awards ceremony was teeming with prominent figures from the entertainment industry. Rosetta was not particularly skilled at small talk, so she kept her interactions brief, then slipped away to a quiet seat near the back.
No sooner had she settled than a light, mocking voice sounded beside her.
"Well, look who it is. The famous violinist Miss Rosetta Murphy."
Rosetta lifted her gaze and her expression immediately hardened at the sight.
Standing before her was Jared, the notorious son of the Sterling family, the one person she had once offended. Behind him was a group of equally smug young men.