Charles couldn't believe his ears and neither could Augustine.
They both froze at the grand entrance, their eyes locked on Mr. Edison, who had just dropped a bombshell disguised as a celebration.
The hum of laughter and clinking glasses around them only intensified the storm brewing in Charles's chest. His throat tightened. He turned to Augustine, whose expression had gone blank, almost unreadable.
Mr. Edison, still holding his glass high, tilted his head slightly with the ease of a man in control.
A warm, practiced smile curved his lips as he whispered into the mic, "Cheers."
Everyone present raised their glasses high, echoing the word "Cheers" with bright smiles and clinking glasses.
Laughter buzzed through the air like champagne bubbles which was effortless and blissfully ignorant.
But in that same moment, Augustine and Charles stood stiff at the threshold, hearts pounding, expressions frozen.
To the crowd, it was a celebration. But to them, it felt like betrayal.
