Chapter 12 - THE BALLROOM RECKONING
The grand ballroom of the Drake Hotel was filled with over three hundred high-society figures, corrupt politicians, syndicate bosses, and foreign investors.
Champagne flowed, crystal glasses chimed, and hushed whispers filled the room as guests speculated about the sudden demise of the Montigues and the identity of the mysterious new fiancée.
CHIME. CHIME. CHIME.
The heavy double doors at the top of the marble staircase swung open.
"Announcing Mr. Victor Blackwood and Miss Lilianna Vance," the herald declared into the microphone.
The entire ballroom fell dead silent.
Victor walked down the grand staircase with Lilianna on his arm. She walked with effortless grace, her spine straight, her chin held high, radiating an undeniable aura of quiet power. Beside her, Victor looked lethal, his eyes scanning the crowd with terrifying authority.
"Look at her..." a socialite whispered behind her fan. "She looks like royalty."
"What happened to Serena?" another muttered nervously. "Is it true her father fled the country?"
As they reached the floor, a portly man in a expensive tuxedo stepped into their path. It was Senator Thomas Gable—a man who had been secretly receiving bribes from Serena’s father for over five years.
"Victor," Gable said, forcing a tight smile while glancing coldly at Lilianna. "Congratulations. Though I must say, switching fiancées so quickly raised a few eyebrows at the capital. Some of my associates wonder if this young lady has the background to handle... our kind of business."
Victor stopped dead in his tracks. The air surrounding the three of them grew icy cold.
Before Victor could speak, Lilianna stepped forward slightly, looking Senator Gable straight in the eye.
"Senator Gable," Lilianna said, her voice smooth and perfectly composed. "If your associates are concerned about background, perhaps they should look into the offshore tax shelters in the Cayman Islands registered under your wife's maiden name. I’m sure the federal audit launching next week will find them very interesting."
Gable’s face went completely pale, his glass of champagne shaking violently in his hand. "W-what... how do you—"
"Enjoy your evening, Senator," Lilianna added with a faint, sweet smile before turning gracefully away.
May you like
Victor looked down at her, a look of profound, dark pride gleaming in his eyes. He leaned down and whispered, "Where did you learn about his Caymans account?"
"Gabriel Moretti’s public financial filings from last month," Lilianna murmured back with a subtle wink. "I read the finance papers while Ethan naps."
