Chapter 1 - The Shattered Glass
The ballroom was filled with crystal chandeliers, expensive gowns, tailored suits, and guests who looked like they had never been told no in their lives.
Moving quietly between them was a poor young boy named Leo, carrying a heavy tray of red wine.
His waiter uniform was slightly worn and too large for him, but he held the tray carefully, trying not to make a single mistake.
Then a wealthy man in a black suit suddenly stepped directly into his path.
The tray tilted backward.
Red wine splashed violently across the man’s expensive clothes.
Before the boy could even attempt to explain, the man slapped him hard across the face.
The tray crashed onto the polished marble floor.
The entire ballroom gasped as the little boy fell down and grabbed his burning cheek.
"Watch where you’re going, you blind little ragged brat," the man spat out angrily.
Surrounded by wealthy strangers staring at him in judgment, the boy slowly lowered his head.
"I am so sorry," he whispered.
For a moment, nobody in the massive room moved a muscle.
Then another shocked murmur spread rapidly through the elite crowd.
People suddenly began stepping aside to clear a wide path.
A young woman in an elegant evening gown appeared behind them and walked straight toward the trembling boy.
She bent down, helped him carefully back onto his feet, and looked with deep concern at his reddened cheek.
"Oh no, you do not need to apologize for anything," she said softly.
Two massive security guards immediately approached and seized the wealthy man by his arms.
He barely had time to understand what was happening before the woman walked up to him and slapped him across the face in front of everyone.
The entire ballroom erupted into chaos.
She stared directly into his shocked eyes.
"I cannot have a rude guest like you in my home, because it is simply embarrassing," she stated coldly.
The wealthy man was dragged out of the building while cursing her name.
Leo thought the terrifying nightmare had finally ended there.
Victoria, the billionaire host of the gala, ordered her staff to get the boy some fresh clothes and food.
But only fifteen minutes later, the head of security marched back into the main hall holding a clear plastic evidence bag.
He approached Victoria and held up the bag for her to see.
Inside the bag was a bloody waiter's apron that belonged to Leo.
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Wrapped inside the blood-soaked fabric was a terrifying discovery that made Victoria's heart stop completely.
It was the severed finger of the wealthy man she had just kicked out of the party.
