Chapter 10 - Crashing the Gala
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The Grand Palace Hotel ballroom was a blinding sea of crystal chandeliers, flowing champagne, and bespoke tuxedos.
At the center of the room stood Cordelia Montgomery, wearing a deep navy Oscar de la Renta gown, holding court with a group of wealthy investors and local politicians. Lachlan stood beside her, holding a champagne flute, looking visibly pale and anxious despite his tailored suit.
“We are so thrilled about the new partnership,” Cordelia was loudly declaring, her aristocratic voice carrying over the string quartet. “My son and his lovely new bride are currently taking a private retreat upstate to settle into—”
The grand double doors at the entrance of the ballroom swung open.
The master of ceremonies cleared his throat, but before he could speak, the room went dead silent.
I walked down the marble steps into the ballroom, my emerald silk gown trailing smoothly behind me. My arm was laced through Ethan Vance’s, whose reputation as a high-stakes corporate prosecutor was instantly recognized by every CEO in the building.
Gasps echoed off the gilded ceiling. Champagne flutes froze halfway to people’s lips.
Cordelia’s smile shattered like cheap glass. Her face flushed a deep, ugly shade of crimson.
Lachlan choked on his drink, dropping the crystal flute onto the carpet, where it shattered with a loud crunch.
I walked straight down the center aisle, ignoring the whispers of high society, until I stood directly in front of Cordelia’s circle.
“Good evening, Cordelia,” I said smoothly, my voice echoing clearly over the silence. “I heard you were telling everyone I was on a private retreat upstate.”
I tilted my head, smiling with terrifying sweetness.
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“I came to return something you left behind.”
I reached into my small evening clutch, pulled out the heavy, stained canvas apron, and set it down right in the middle of the caviar display on the VIP table.
