Chapter 225
Suddenly, a commotion erupted near the bar. A man in a velvet tuxedo was laughing loudly, drawing the attention of the
It was Gabriel Rows, the actor who had been set to star in Victoria’s now-canceled film.
“Resilience?” Gabriel’s voice projected effortlessly, honed by years of stage work. He raised a glass, his syss mocking, “is that what we’re calling desperation the day? I thought this was awake for the stock price.”
A ripple of uneasy laughter went through the crowd. Beatrice stiffened, her grip tightening on her cane.
“Who let that fool in?” she mapped at a security guard.
“He’s on the guest list, ma’am. He brought a significant donation,” the guard stammered.
Before Beatrice could order his removal, the marmur of the crowd died completely.
It wasn’t a gradual hush. It was instantaneous-vacuum of sound that sucked the air out of the ballroom.
The heavy downp
Sky Sterling stepped in.
She wasn’t wearing gold this time. She was wearing red. Deep, dark, violent crimson. The dress was structured like armor, with sharpshoulders and a bodice that looked like it was made of shattered rubies. It flowed down into a train that looked like a pool of blood trailing behind her.
She didn’t wave. She didn’t smile. She stood at the top of the short staircase leading into the sunken hallroom and looked down at the masses as if she intended to buy the building and burn it down.
The flashbulbs erupted. It was a blinding, stroboscopic sault.
“Sky Sky Overhe
“Look at the camera, Skyet
Liam falta physical how to his chast
to intrusive ads bevel.com
She looked magnificent. She looked terrifying. She looked nothing like the woman who used to beg him to come home for dinner.
He took a step toward her, drawn by a gravitational pull he couldn’t name. Regret? Lust? Ownership?
“Don’t,” Seraphina hissed, digging her nails into his arm. “Stay on script.”
Sky began to descend the stairs. She passed Liam and Seraphina as if they were invisible. She didn’t even blink. The scent of her perfume-something cold and floral, like snowdrops-drifted past him.
She walked straight to the center of the room, where a group of nervous investors were huddled. Gabriel cos immediately stepped side, howing slightly to her as if she were royalty—a goture the cameras caught perfectly.
“Gentlemen,” Skye said, her voice carrying over the silence. “I some you’re here to discuss the liquidation of your soosts
before the SEC free them
A ripple of panic went through the group.
“Attention!”
The shrill voice cut through the murmur of the crowd.
Beatrice Kensington stood, leaning heavily on her cane. Beide her, clutching her arm, was Seraphina.