Chapter 4 - The Reversal at the Gala
The next evening, the Grand Regency Ballroom was packed with the city’s elite. The annual charity gala was the event of the year, and Santiago had spent months preparing to showcase his power.
Despite being stripped of his home, Santiago had scraped together his last remaining funds to rent a tuxedo, desperate to find his wealthy investors at the party and persuade them to help him fight the Harrington takeover. He still believed he had a chance. He believed money could fix anything.
When Santiago walked into the ballroom, conversations hushed. Whispers circulated through the crowd.
"Is that Santiago Vance?" "I heard his company collapsed overnight." "Look at him... he looks completely broken."
Santiago ignored the stares, fixing his eyes on the high stage at the front of the room where the guest of honor was about to be introduced. The host took the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, tonight we honor our newest majority benefactor—the woman who has just acquired the entire city development portfolio and donated fifty million dollars to children's protection funds. Please welcome, Clara Harrington!"
The double doors at the side of the stage swung open.
May you like
Santiago's breath caught in his throat.
I walked out under the crystal chandeliers, wearing a dazzling midnight-blue silk gown tailored perfectly for my baby bump, adorned with a thirty-carat diamond necklace from the Harrington vault. Surrounding me were international dignitaries, senators, and global CEOs, all bowing their heads in respect.
