Chapter 13 - The Gala Standoff
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The winter gala at the Metropolitan Museum of Art was the biggest high-society event of the season.
I arrived on the arm of Sebastian Sterling, wearing a custom emerald-green silk gown with an open back, my dark hair styled in sleek, modern waves. Diamond drop earrings flashed under the grand chandeliers as photographers shouted our names from the red carpet.
"Over here, Mr. Sterling!"
"Victoria! Look this way!"
We walked up the grand staircase, greeted by museum directors, city officials, and international developers. I was no longer just the woman who had been cheated on at the altar; I was the head designer of the Sterling Hotel Project, a rising power in New York’s design world.
As we moved toward the VIP bar in the Temple of Dendur wing, a familiar voice called out from the edge of the crowd.
"Victoria?"
I stopped and turned.
Standing near the marble pillars was Ryan.
He was wearing a wrinkled tuxedo that looked slightly too big for him. His hair was untrimmed, his face pale, with dark circles under his eyes. Beside him was Danielle, wearing a flashy, cheap sequined maternity dress that stretched tightly over her six-month pregnant belly.
They had clearly scraped together their remaining savings to buy general-admission tickets to the gala, desperately trying to network and save Ryan’s dying career.
Danielle stared at my emerald gown, her eyes burning with pure, unadulterated envy.
"Victoria," Ryan stammered, stepping toward us, completely ignoring Danielle. "You... you look incredible."
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Sebastian immediately stepped forward, his massive frame blocking Ryan’s path, his gray eyes turning to cold, sharp flint.
"You are stepping out of line, Vance," Sebastian warned, his deep voice carrying a terrifying authority.
