Chapter 13 - The Grand Gala
The Manhattan Financial Exchange building towered against the night sky like a monolith of glass and cold ambition. Searchlights swept across the plaza, and sleek luxury cars lined the curb as wealthy investors, corporate executives, and international elites stepped out onto the red carpet in designer tuxedos and glittering evening gowns.
When our armored transport pulled directly up to the VIP entrance, the murmurs among the paparazzi and security guards were instantaneous.
The heavy doors of the vehicle swung open.
Dante stepped out first, adjusting the cuffs of his immaculate charcoal suit, his silver hair catching the flashing lights of the camera shutters. He turned and offered his hand.
I stepped out onto the red carpet next, wearing a sharp, tailored black blazer dress with silver accents, my head held high. Esme followed right behind me, walking with absolute grace and confidence, her legs steady and strong. Mom stepped out last, her posture radiant, wearing an emerald-green gown that radiated pure executive dominance.
The whispers grew louder. Everyone in New York thought the Voss family was broken, hidden away, or defeated.
Instead, we looked like royalty walking in to claim our throne.
"Welcome, Ms. Voss," a nervous corporate security director stammered, blocking the glass revolving doors. "Invitations, please?"
Dante didn't even break stride. He placed a heavy hand on the man's shoulder, leaning in close enough to make him swallow hard. "We don't need an invitation. We own the building."
We strode past him into the grand, marble-pillared ballroom where hundreds of guests had gathered for the auction gala. The chatter abruptly died down as all eyes turned toward us. In the center of the elevated stage at the far end of the room, Elena Rostova stood beside the podium, holding a microphone with a smug, victorious smile on her face.
"Well, well," Elena’s voice echoed smoothly across the silent ballroom through the sound system. "Look who decided to crawl out of the shadows. Welcome, Celeste. Welcome, girls. I wasn't sure you had the courage to show up."
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Mom didn't flinch. She walked straight down the center aisle, with Dante, Esme, and me flanking her like an unyielding wall.
"We didn't come to watch an auction, Elena," Mom said, her voice ringing out crystal clear and commanding across the entire hall. "We came to shut it down."
