Chapter 32 - The Winter Gala
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The dismissal of the mole sent a clear, undeniable message across the city: Sienna Vance was not a naive hotelier who could be easily manipulated. Julian Thorne had taken the bait, humiliated his own intelligence division with the fake data, and retreated into a furious, plotting silence.
With the internal threat neutralized, Sienna focused entirely on the upcoming Winter Charity Gala. It was to be the most magnificent event the St. Moritz had hosted in a decade.
The grand ballroom was transformed into a breathtaking winter wonderland. Thousands of white roses draped from the balconies, and the chandeliers cast a warm, golden glow over the attendees. The city's elite, having abandoned Vanguard's sterile events, flocked to the historic charm of the St. Moritz.
Sienna stood at the top of the grand staircase, wearing a stunning, silver-beaded gown that caught the light with every movement. Victoria stood beside her, looking elegant and remarkably at peace.
"You have outdone yourself, Sienna," Victoria murmured, looking down at the crowded, joyous ballroom. "Your father would be speechless."
"We outdid ourselves, Victoria," Sienna corrected gently. "Your help with the guest list and the PR coordination was invaluable."
"It feels good to build something instead of tearing it down," Victoria admitted, offering a rare, genuine smile.
Chef Andre’s farm-to-table menu was a revelation, drawing standing ovations from the influential food critics in attendance. The jazz band played a lively, soulful tune, and the atmosphere was electric with genuine joy and celebration.
Suddenly, the murmurs in the crowd shifted as a new arrival walked through the main doors.
It was Julian Thorne. He had not been invited, but his sheer corporate audacity allowed him to bypass the initial security check.
Sienna did not panic. She walked gracefully down the staircase to meet him in the center of the lobby, the golden "SM" crest gleaming on the marble floor between them.
"Julian," Sienna greeted, her voice perfectly polite. "Are you lost? Vanguard Tower is three blocks down."
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"I came to see the spectacle," Julian sneered, though his eyes betrayed his awe at the sheer beauty of the event. "Enjoy your little victory, Sienna. The winter is long."
"It is," Sienna smiled radiantly. "And we are perfectly equipped to keep our guests warm. Have a pleasant evening, Julian."
