Chapter 4 - The Calm Before the Storm
The next morning, the city was buzzing with excitement. The Solmere Grand Charity Gala was the most exclusive event of the decade. Tickets cost fifty thousand dollars just to get in the door. It was the night Arthur Sterling would cement his total control over the hospitality industry.
Inside the sprawling penthouse of the Solmere Hotel, Victoria Sterling was sipping expensive champagne while a team of makeup artists hovered around her. “Make sure the lighting is perfect when my father announces the share transfer,” Victoria snapped at her assistant. “I want to look absolutely flawless on the cover of Forbes magazine tomorrow.” She looked at her manicured hands and laughed softly. “I still can’t believe that filthy maid dared to look me in the eye yesterday. I should have had her thrown in jail instead of just throwing her out.” She had already forgotten the bruised girl from the lobby. To Victoria, poor people were nothing but insects to be crushed under her designer heels.
Meanwhile, in Julian Vance’s highly secure, glass-walled mansion across the city, a very different preparation was taking place. Charlotte stood in front of a floor-to-ceiling mirror. She was no longer the bruised, defeated maid from the rain-soaked streets. Her hair had been professionally restored to its natural, brilliant, sweeping blonde waves. The bruise on her face was expertly concealed by top-tier makeup artists. She wore a breathtaking, custom-made gown of midnight blue silk that clung to her curves and sparkled with real crushed diamonds.
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She looked powerful. She looked exactly like Eleanor Vale’s daughter. Julian walked into the room, dressed in a sharp, pitch-black tuxedo. He stopped in his tracks when he saw her, his breath catching in his throat. “You look…” Julian paused, searching for the right word. “Dangerous.” Charlotte turned to face him, a cool, confident smile playing on her lips. “I feel dangerous.”
Julian handed her a thick, legally binding folder. “My lawyers worked through the night. The bank verified your mother’s true, original will. And the FBI has reviewed the evidence on the USB drive.” He stepped closer, his voice dropping to a serious whisper. “The moment you walk into that ballroom, there is no turning back. It will be war.” Charlotte took the folder, her grip firm and unshaking. “I was born for this war, Julian. It’s time to take out the trash.” He offered her his arm. “Shall we, Miss Vale?” She linked her arm through his. “We shall.”
