Chapter 6 - The Gala of Thorns
To prove to the underworld that the Moretti family remained untouched by the Russian threat, Lucian hosted a massive winter gala at the mansion. Every prominent figure in the city was invited, including the corrupt judges, politicians, and syndicate leaders who kept the empire running.
"You are not working tonight, Elena," Lucian had told her the morning of the event, placing a heavy velvet box on her worktable. "You are attending as my guest."
Inside the box was a breathtaking emerald-green silk dress that she knew instantly had been imported from Paris. Beside it lay a diamond necklace that could have bought her dream shop ten times over.
When Elena descended the grand staircase that evening, the entire ballroom fell into a stunned silence. She had styled her hair in soft, elegant curls, and the green silk clung beautifully to her figure, making her eyes pop.
Lucian stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking up at her. He wore a classic black tuxedo, looking every bit the dangerous prince he was. When she reached the final step, he took her hand, his eyes burning with a possessive heat that left her breathless.
"You look spectacular, Elena," he murmured, kissing the back of her hand.
As they moved through the crowd, the whispers began. High-society women in diamonds looked at her with pure jealousy, while older allies smirked behind their champagne glasses.
"Is that the laundry girl?" a loud, aristocratic voice whispered from a nearby table. It was the daughter of a prominent judge, a woman who had tried to court Lucian for years. "Look at her hands... you can tell she spent her life scrubbing filth. Lucian must be desperate for a dynamic toy if he's bringing the help to a gala."
Elena’s face burned with shame. She tried to pull her hand from Lucian’s grip, wanting nothing more than to run back to her dark workshop.
But Lucian didn't let her go.
He stopped dead in his tracks, turning slowly to look at the judge’s daughter. The temperature in the room seemed to drop twenty degrees. The music faltered as the Don’s attention focused on the table.
"Judge Harrison," Lucian said, his voice carrying clearly across the silent room.
The older judge turned pale, stepping forward immediately. "Yes, Don Moretti?"
"Your daughter has a very loud mouth," Lucian said, his tone conversational but laced with lethal promise. "And an incredibly poor understanding of value. Elena Hart is the most valuable asset in this house. If I hear another disrespectful word from anyone in your family, I will ensure your courtrooms become empty lots by Monday morning. Do I make myself clear?"
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The judge bowed his head, his forehead sweating. "Perfectly clear, Don Moretti. I apologize deeply."
Lucian turned back to Elena, his expression instantly softening as he pulled her closer to his side. "Never hide your hands, Elena," he whispered into her ear. "They are the hands of a creator. The rest of these people are just parasites."
