CHAPTER 356

Linda’s heart was still pounding as she stood in front of the grand staircase, holding the envelope tight in her hand.

The servant’s words echoed in her mind: "He is expecting you in thirty minutes, upstairs." She glanced around nervously, but no one seemed to notice her slip away from the crowded ballroom.

Her feet felt like they were moving on their own, carrying her up the wide, marble steps.

The higher she climbed, the quieter the sounds from the ballroom became. Her heels clicked softly against the polished floor, and soon she found herself on the upper level, where the air was cooler, and the opulence of the palace was even more striking.

The walls were adorned with shimmering tapestries and golden chandeliers, casting a soft, warm glow over everything.

Linda felt almost out of place in this grand, royal space. But as she reached the balcony that overlooked the ballroom, something caught her eye.

She paused and leaned over the railing, gazing down at the scene below. Her brea