Find me in your labyrinth (Stella and Jonathan) novel Chapter 3479

Marina instantly guessed that he must have caught a cold on Wednesday night after giving her his jacket. A wave of guilt washed over her. "It's my fault you got sick!"

"It's just a scratchy throat. I can handle it. If you were the one who got sick, I would have been sick with worry," he said, his raspy voice making him sound even more deeply resonant.

Meeting his intense, unwavering gaze, Marina felt a strange flutter of unease.

He quickly smoothly changed the subject. "My mother is already inside. I'll take you to her."

They walked into the grand hotel and found his mother in a private lounge.

She was wearing a vintage blush-pink gown with exquisite hand-embroidery along the collar, hugging her stunning curves and radiating an effortless grace.

The moment she saw Marina, the woman's face lit up. She stepped forward, grasping Marina's hand with warm affection. "Sia!"

"Good evening, Mrs. Croft," Marina greeted with a polite smile.

"I don't know what it is, but I just feel such an instant connection with you," she said, her voice soft as silk. "Perhaps it's because I've always wanted a daughter, but fate decided otherwise."

Nocturne feigned a look of betrayal. "Wow. Just throwing me under the bus, huh?"

Marina laughed. "If you had a daughter, she might not have grown up to be as brilliant as he is!"

Nocturne smiled down at her. "I still think having Sia would be better."

Marina broke eye contact, looking toward the door. "Has the reception started?"

"It's about that time. Let's head in," the woman said, looping her arm through Marina's. They walked out of the lounge, trailing down the opulent, gilded corridor toward the main ballroom.

The organizers had evidently invited several high-profile celebrities. The ballroom was a sea of glittering chandeliers, flowing champagne, and extravagant displays of wealth. It was a massive affair.

As they entered, Nocturne took his place on his mother's left. The three of them walked in together, instantly drawing a flurry of stares.

Marina felt a sudden spike of panic. She had assumed this was going to be an intimate, private dinner, not a massive, highly-publicized gala.

Everyone who was anyone in J City was in this room.

She realized she had never actually asked for Nocturne's real name. She had no idea which prominent family he belonged to. Walking in flanked by him and his mother in front of all these people—would it cause a scandal?

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