A ball hosted by a group of young people was hardly going to resemble one from the nineteenth or early twentieth century, with stiff formalwear everywhere and everyone adhering to strict court dances and etiquette.
Still, the Mellon family's ball was nothing like the wild American college parties in movies, either. Those seemed like attempts to work through everything their parents had forbidden for the first eighteen years of their lives.
Since the evening's leading lady was still a student at Wellesley College, one of the United States' top women's colleges, Henry followed Aether Hepburn like an accessory, never leaving her side as she mingled with classmates and upperclassmen.
"Hi, Tuna." Spotting a man and woman standing apart from the crowd, Aether recognized the woman and brought Henry over.
The other woman offered a perfectly practiced smile and replied politely, "Aether, you're here too."
Their greetings seemed warm, but beneath the surface, they were already competing. Makeup, figures, skin, jewelry, dresses, manicures, heels—Aether had not chosen an opponent who would put her to shame. Their outfits were evenly matched, each with its own strengths.
After a few pleasantries, the conversation shifted toward their male companions. The other woman introduced the man beside her first. "This is Martin Wickson, CEO of Wickson Enterprises in Silicon Valley and an MT alumnus."
"It's an honor to meet you, Miss Hepburn." The man, who looked like a seasoned womanizer, took Aether's hand and kissed it.
An unfamiliar company, named after its owner and based in Silicon Valley—he was probably the founder of some startup. Henry quickly reached that conclusion.
The man, who was probably around Henry's age, betrayed his interest in Aether. He immediately turned his attention to Henry and extended a seemingly friendly hand. "And you are...?"
Competition between men was every bit