Chapter 1 - The Blow in the Ballroom|
The impact struck Audrey Vance’s left shoulder with terrifying force, throwing her off balance. She stumbled sideways, her silk heels catching on the carpet before she slammed into a velvet-draped champagne table. Crystal flutes chimed like warning bells.
A silence cascaded across the room.
Julian didn’t even glance at her hand, which was bracing against the mahogany table to steady herself. Instead, he bent down, his breath smelling of expensive scotch, and hissed into her ear.
“Go home. She belongs beside me tonight.”
Audrey straightened up slowly. Her blue silk gown glided over her skin, hiding the immediate red flare of pain on her shoulder.
Beside Julian stood Camilla Price. The communications director wore a floor-length crimson dress, her crimson lips twisted into a subtle, mocking curve. One of her manicured hands was wrapped possessively around Julian’s tuxedo sleeve.
“Audrey, darling,” Camilla said, her tone dripping with rehearsed sympathy. “Perhaps this isn’t the right evening for a public domestic scene. You’re making the board uncomfortable.”
“Am I?” Audrey asked softly.
She adjusted the thin strap of her gown, her voice completely devoid of tremor.
“Don't cause a scene,” Julian warned, stepping forward to block her from the view of the surrounding executives. “You were invited as my guest, Audrey. Know your place.”
“My place is right here, Julian,” she replied. “I wouldn’t miss tonight’s announcement for the world.”
Julian’s face darkened with contempt. For months, he had been boasting to anyone who would listen that tonight he would be named President of Aurelia Systems. He believed Audrey was nothing more than a quiet heiress who spent her days arranging flowers for charity galas.
He had no idea that while he was buying expensive suits, Audrey had been reviewing financial disclosures.
“The executive announcement isn’t for decorative wives,” Julian sneered. “Go home before I have security walk you out.”
May you like
Audrey picked up a glass of sparkling water from a passing tray and took a deliberate sip.
“Enjoy the next ten minutes, Julian,” she said. “They’re the last ten minutes of the life you think you have.”
