Chapter 1 - The New Reality
The heavy wooden doors at the far end of the ballroom did not just swing open.
They were violently shoved apart.
A dozen men dressed in perfectly tailored black suits marched into the extravagant venue.
Their footsteps moved in complete synchronization, echoing aggressively against the polished marble floor.
They did not look like standard police officers.
They looked like elite private military contractors dressed for a massive corporate war.
At the front of the group walked a tall, broad-shouldered man with a silver scar across his jaw.
His name was Vance, and he held a sleek black tablet securely in his left hand.
Richard, the wealthy father, took a stumbling, desperate step backward.
All the blood had completely drained from his arrogant, aged face.
He recognized that silver scar immediately from his underground dealings.
"Close all the exits," Vance commanded, his voice deep and rumbling like distant thunder.
Four of the suited men immediately broke off from the main tactical group.
They positioned themselves blocking the massive double doors, folding their strong arms behind their backs.
The wealthy wedding guests began to murmur again, true panic slowly replacing their earlier shock.
Camilla, the rich woman who had just slapped the bridesmaid, clutched her expensive diamond necklace.
"Richard, do something right now!" Camilla shrieked, her perfect high-society composure entirely shattered.
Richard could not even speak as he stared blindly at the men locking down the hotel.
The bridesmaid, Elara, simply stood in the dead center of the room with the torn veil in her hand.
She looked completely unbothered by the sudden, terrifying invasion.
"I told you not to touch my mother's veil," Elara whispered, the coldness in her voice cutting through the noise.
Camilla turned to her, her surgically tightened face twisting with sudden, desperate fury.
"You worthless little brat, do you think hiring some cheap thugs will scare us?" Camilla spat aggressively.
Elara slowly shook her head, a truly chilling smile forming on her red lips.
"They are not thugs, Camilla," Elara replied smoothly.
Vance stopped right next to Elara, bowing his head deeply and respectfully toward her.
"The perimeter is entirely secure, Madam Chairwoman," Vance announced loudly for the whole room to hear.
The entire lavish ballroom fell completely silent once again.
Richard gasped for air as if someone had just punched him directly in the chest.
"Chairwoman?" Camilla repeated, her voice trembling as the impossible reality began to set in.
Elara gently folded the torn piece of white lace and placed it carefully into her pocket.
She looked directly at her terrified father and the evil woman who had tormented her for years.
"Did you really think I would let you steal my mother's company without a fight?" Elara asked.
Richard finally found his voice, stepping defensively in front of his new wife.
"You have absolutely no power here, Elara, I transferred all the shares to myself yesterday morning," Richard stated proudly.
May you like
Elara's chilling smile grew wider as Vance handed her the glowing black tablet.
"You should probably check the global stock exchange right now," Elara suggested quietly.
