The Party of Humiliation
Inside the Grand Monarch Hotel, the ballroom spilled over with luxury. Crystal chandeliers glittered overhead, waiters moved gracefully with silver trays, and the air was filled with the self-satisfied hum of the city’s elite. Marco stood at the center of it all, champagne in hand, his arm wrapped around Valerie, his grin overflowing with pride.
“Congratulations, Marco! I hear the mysterious Chairwoman of the company is attending tonight,” an executive said. “Hope you impress her!”
“Of course,” Marco replied, arrogance seeping from every syllable. “I’m their best VP. And who wouldn’t be impressed with Valerie and me? We’re the perfect power couple.”
They laughed, completely unaware that the very woman whose dress Marco had burned hours earlier was about to walk in.
Suddenly, the orchestra stopped. The lights cut out. A single spotlight sliced through the darkness, aimed directly at the grand entrance.
Mr. Sebastian stepped onto the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, his voice ringing like a decree, “after a long period of maintaining her privacy, it is my great honor to introduce the one and only owner and Supreme Chairwoman of Vanguard Empire… Madame Clara Vanguard!”
