Chapter 6 - THE PREPARATION FOR RETRIBUTION
The night of the Winter Masquerade had finally arrived, filling the air with anticipation.
The venue was the same grand ballroom where Chloe had been humiliated weeks ago.
But tonight, the atmosphere was different, filled with tension and whispered rumors.
Everyone in high society knew that the Vance family was on the verge of bankruptcy.
They also knew that Arthur Harrington had found a mysterious new heir.
However, nobody knew the identity or the face of this secret successor.
The guests wore elaborate silk masks, hiding their true expressions from one another.
Victoria Vance walked through the crowd, trying desperately to look confident.
Her face was covered by a golden mask, but her eyes were anxious and wild.
Her father had told her that tonight was their last chance to find a rich investor.
If they failed to secure a loan tonight, the Vance Group would fall tomorrow.
"Don't worry, Victoria, you are still the star of the night," her friend whispered.
"Nobody can compete with your beauty, not even a hidden heir," another added.
Victoria forced a laugh, but her hands were shaking as she held her glass.
She remembered the warning Arthur Harrington had given her weeks ago.
She tried to convince herself that the old man was just bluffing to save face.
Suddenly, the grand announcer stepped onto the main stage, capturing everyone's attention.
The music stopped, and all eyes turned toward the grand entrance doors.
"Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the master of the house, Mr. Arthur Harrington!"
The crowd clapped politely as the old billionaire walked out into the light.
He wore a simple black mask, his posture straight and full of undeniable authority.
He did not smile, looking down at the wealthy crowd with cold indifference.
"And tonight, it is his absolute honor to introduce his sole granddaughter," the announcer boomed.
"The future chairperson of the Harrington Group, Miss Chloe Harrington!"
The heavy double doors swung open, revealing a figure silhouetted by bright lights.
The crowd held its collective breath as Chloe stepped into the grand ballroom.
She moved with a hypnotic grace that silenced every single person in the room.
Her midnight-blue gown seemed to absorb the light, sparkling like the night sky.
A matching diamond mask covered the upper half of her flawless face.
Her lips were painted a bold, dangerous red, curved into a faint, knowing smile.
Victoria Vance stared at the newcomer, a strange feeling of dread rising in her stomach.
The girl's posture and the shape of her jaw looked hauntingly familiar to her.
But she shook the thought away, telling herself it was completely impossible.
Chloe walked down the grand staircase, her hand resting gently on Arthur's arm.
Every eye followed her, captivated by her elegance and her overwhelming power.
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She looked directly at Victoria through the eyeholes of her glittering mask.
The game had officially begun, and the prey had no idea she was being hunted.
