Chapter 5 - THE AFTERMATH IN THE GRAND BALLROOM: WHEN MADELINE’S CROWN CRUMBLED
Back in the glittering ballroom of the Plaza Hotel, the silence following Adrian Voss’s cold, lethal dismissal of Madeline’s accusation was absolute.
Madeline stood frozen beside Preston, her chest heaving beneath the champagne silk gown, her eyes darting frantically between Adrian Voss and me.
She finally recognized the terrifying reality of her position.
The man she had spent the last three weeks bragging about—Preston Carrington, with his inherited townhouses and his struggling gemstone startup—was a minor corporate pawn compared to the undisputed king of New York’s underground and corporate empires standing right beside me.
Preston’s mother, Eleanor, had already retreated three steps backward into the crowd, her face drained of all color, desperately hoping nobody remembered she had ever tried to patronize me during family dinners.
Adrian’s arm remained securely around my waist, his warm, solid presence grounding me amidst the swirling sea of terrified socialites.
“Now,” Adrian said, his deep, rumbling voice cutting through the heavy air of the ballroom with effortless authority. “Since Ms. Hart has graciously attended your little celebration, I believe it is time we excused ourselves. We have a private dinner reservation, and my schedule is considerably less forgiving than hers.”
He didn't wait for Madeline to reply.
He didn't wait for Preston to stammer an apology.
Adrian simply turned, guiding me gently by the small of my back toward the grand double doors of the ballroom.
The two hundred guests parted before us like the Red Sea, pressing themselves against the gold-trimmed walls, terrified to make eye contact, let alone breathe too loudly as the Godfather of New York escorted his diamond bride out into the night.
As we passed Preston and Madeline, I paused for just a fraction of a second, turning my head to look back at my sister.
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Her mascara was slightly smeared. Her hands were shaking. The champagne silk dress suddenly looked like a cheap costume.
“Enjoy the wedding planning, Maddie,” I whispered sweetly.
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