Chapter 3 - THE GALA OF DECEPTION
The grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel was a sea of glittering crystal and black tuxedos.
The scent of expensive champagne and white lilies hung heavy in the warm air.
I walked beside Grant,
my hand resting lightly on his arm,
feeling the tension in his muscles.
He was scanning the crowd,
his eyes searching for the one person who mattered to him tonight.
"Evelyn,
darling,
you look absolutely radiant,"
called out Eleanor,
a long-time family friend.
"Thank you,
Eleanor,"
I replied,
my voice a perfect imitation of warmth.
"It's a wonderful evening,
isn't it?"
Grant smiled,
clinking his glass against hers,
playing the part of the successful,
devoted husband.
But I could feel his gaze drifting,
shifting toward the grand staircase.
And then,
she arrived.
Victoria Vance descended the stairs like a queen returning to her kingdom.
She wore a emerald green gown that drew every eye in the room,
her blonde hair styled in soft,
elegant waves.
On her left hand,
catching the light of the chandeliers,
was the ring.
The seventy-two thousand dollar ring,
bought with my daughter's future.
My heart hammered against my ribs like a trapped bird,
but my face remained a mask of polite admiration.
"Ah,
there is Arthur and Victoria,"
Grant said,
his voice tightening with a mixture of excitement and anxiety.
"We must go pay our respects."
I let him lead me through the crowd,
each step feeling like a march toward a battlefield.
As we approached,
Victoria's eyes locked onto mine,
a smug,
knowing smirk playing at the corners of her lips.
She did not look guilty,
she looked thrilled.
"Evelyn,"
she purred,
extending a hand that sparkled with stolen dreams.
"It is so good to see you."
"Victoria,"
I murmured,
taking her hand,
feeling the cold metal of the ring press against my palm.
"You look beautiful tonight,
that is quite a stunning piece of jewelry."
Grant cleared his throat,
a sudden flash of panic crossing his features.
"Yes,
well,
it's a family heirloom,
isn't it,
Victoria?"
he intervened quickly,
his voice strained.
"Of course,"
Victoria smiled,
her eyes never leaving mine.
"A very recent acquisition,
but deeply sentimental."
I looked at her,
letting my smile widen,
letting them both believe they had won.
"Sentimental pieces are always the most precious,"
I said softly,
"they always cost more than one expects."
Arthur Vance,
her father,
stepped forward,
clapping Grant on the shoulder.
"Grant,
my boy,
we need to discuss the final terms of the merger before the press conference."
"Absolutely,
Arthur,"
Grant eagerly agreed,
gesturing toward the private balcony.
"Evelyn,
darling,
will you excuse us for a moment?"
"Of course,"
I replied,
watching them walk away.
Left alone with Victoria,
the silence between us became thick,
charged with an unspoken hostility.
"You know,
Evelyn,"
Victoria whispered,
stepping closer so only I could hear.
"You really should have kept a tighter leash on your husband's finances."
I turned my head to look at her,
my expression completely placid.
"A leash is only for beasts,
Victoria,"
I said quietly.
May you like
"And when a beast roams too far,
it usually finds itself in a trap."
