Chapter 18 - The Auction Trap
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The grand ballroom of the Plaza Hotel glistened with crystal chandeliers and socialites dressed in haute couture. It was the annual Metropolitan Charity Gala, the playground of Manhattan’s elite, and the very place where the Vance family used to reign supreme.
I stepped onto the red carpet wearing an emerald silk gown that hugged my frame, my posture tall and unyielding. Beside me walked my brother Ben, looking formidable in a tailored tuxedo.
"Are you sure about this, Elena?" Ben whispered, scanning the crowd. "Arthur Vance’s mother is here tonight. She still holds substantial influence among the old-money donors."
"Good," I replied coldly. "I want her to see exactly who replaced her."
As we entered the main hall, conversations faltered. Whispers rippled through the room.
"Look, that’s Lydia—no, Elena Sterling," a woman whispered nearby. "The woman who brought down Lumina Grid."
Before we reached our table, an elderly woman in a velvet gown blocked our path. It was Eleanor Vance, Arthur Vance’s mother, surrounded by her inner circle. Her eyes burned with pure malice.
"You arrogant little trash," Eleanor sneered, her voice dropping to a harsh venom. "You destroyed my son's career. You stripped our family name in the press. You think wearing an expensive dress makes you one of us?"
The surrounding guests went silent, watching the drama unfold.
I stepped closer to Eleanor, my eyes fixing on her with terrifying calm.
"Your son stole millions, forged my signature, and backed an abusive fraud," I said clearly, loud enough for the nearby reporters to hear. "The Vance name didn't fall because of me, Eleanor. It rotted from the inside out."
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"You won't survive the auction tonight," Eleanor threatened, clutching her diamond necklace. "Richard Hayes is buying the remaining Vance estate assets. You'll be ruined by morning."
"Let him try," I smiled softly. "I brought an open checkbook tonight, Eleanor. Let's see whose legacy survives the night."
