Chapter 8 - The Bait
The highly anticipated annual Sterling Foundation Gala was easily the most exclusive event in the entire city.
It was a magnificent place where billionaires, corrupt politicians, and the social elite enthusiastically gathered to show off their wealth and power.
For many years, Bianca had begged and pleaded for an invitation, but she was never deemed culturally important enough.
Now, heavily armed with her sudden, viral fame as the tragic victim, she was desperate to be seen in high society.
Mr. Sterling pulled a few powerful strings and ensured an anonymous invitation was delivered straight to Bianca's luxury hotel suite.
We spent the next two exhausting days preparing our grand, final trap.
Alexander generously bought me a stunning, highly expensive custom-made navy blue evening gown.
It was a massive far cry from the faded yellow dress and the bleach-stained aprons I was so used to wearing.
"You look absolutely like a queen, Mom," Alexander said emotionally as I looked at myself in the mirror.
"I just look exactly like a mother who is completely done playing nice," I replied.
The beautiful night of the gala arrived, with thousands of cameras flashing and luxury cars lining the long red carpet.
Mr. Sterling carefully escorted me through a highly private entrance, permanently keeping me hidden from the rabid press.
Alexander followed incredibly close behind, looking remarkably sharp in a perfectly tailored tuxedo.
We stood proudly on a sweeping, highly decorated balcony overlooking the massive ballroom.
Directly below us, hundreds of wealthy guests happily mingled, clinking expensive champagne glasses under giant crystal chandeliers.
And exactly right in the center of the room, loudly soaking up the attention, was Bianca.
She wore a highly flashy red dress and was busy telling her tragic, fake story to a large group of influential investors.
Lydia stood closely beside her, beaming with extreme pride at their highly newfound social status.
"They honestly think they have won this war," Alexander muttered, watching them with profound disgust.
"Arrogant pride heavily always comes right before the fall," I reminded him gently.
Mr. Sterling checked his expensive gold watch and nodded sharply to his lead security team.
"It is officially time," he announced loudly.
The bright lights in the grand ballroom slowly dimmed, and the soft orchestra music faded completely away.
A bright spotlight hit the massive main stage, and Mr. Sterling walked confidently up to the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen, thank you so kindly for joining us tonight," his powerful voice boomed heavily over the large speakers.
The wealthy crowd applauded politely, eager for the evening's expensive entertainment.
"Tonight, we are here to celebrate pure truth and integrity," Mr. Sterling continued loudly.
Bianca aggressively pushed her way to the very front of the large crowd, incredibly eager to be noticed by the billionaire host.
"And to properly honor that truth, I have a highly special presentation," Mr. Sterling said.
He gestured grandly to the massive, highly advanced projector screen hanging far above the stage.
The large screen flickered to life, showing a previously recorded live video feed.
Bianca smiled broadly, highly expecting a beautiful tribute to her family’s fake resilience.
Instead, the screen brilliantly displayed the interior of Ewald’s highly private office from exactly three months ago.
Bianca gasped loudly, instantly recognizing the secret footage.
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"Turn that off right now!" a rough voice roared fiercely from the back of the room.
Ewald aggressively pushed through the heavy wooden doors, heavily flanked by three armed men.
