The Grand Ballroom was filled with lights, and every corner screamed luxury. Thousands of crystal chandeliers hung from the high ceilings casting a golden glow over the most powerful people in the country. Men in custom-tailored tuxedos and women in gowns worth more than sports cars mingled, sipping champagne that cost a fortune per bottle. Clara, Leo, and Maya had managed to find peace near a buffet of exotic appetizers. Leo was busy stuffing his face with mini lobster rolls and truffles, his eyes wide with delight. "If they’re going to hate us, at least I’m going to eat all their expensive food first," he mumbled through a mouthful of pastry. The music was soft and elegant, but the air suddenly buzzed with a new energy. A hush fell over the room as a voice boomed over the speakers: "Ladies and Gentlemen, we have just received word. The official envoy of the Rhein Group has entered the estate. Their entourage will be in the ballroom shortly." A wave of excitement rippled through t

Bianca’s jaw dropped so far it looked like it might hit the floor. Jada and Chloe turned as pale as ghosts, their mocking smiles replaced by masks of pure terror. The guards instantly took a step back, their hands dropping to their sides as they realized they were standing in the presence of someone they weren't even allowed to look at.Clara held the card high, the gold veins catching the light and blinding the front row of the crowd."Is this 'Diamond' enough for you, Bianca?" Clara asked, her voice echoing through the deadly silent hall.The silence in the ballroom was shattered by Bianca’s shrill, panicked laughter. She pointed a trembling finger at the obsidian card in Clara’s hand, her face contorting with a mix of fear and desperate denial."How? How could you have that?" Jada stammered, her voice barely a whisper as she stared at the pulsing gold veins on the card."It’s a fake!" Bianca shrieked, looking at the crowd to regain her ground. "That is impossible! Only three of the

The entire hall froze. The billionaires, the socialites, and the students were paralyzed with shock. Why was the Vice President of the most powerful conglomerate in the world defending a "useless" scholarship girl like Clara?"She did not steal this," Ms. Julia announced, turning her back on the sobbing Bianca to face the audience. "Steal it? Our President is currently occupied with state matters of the highest importance. He personally handed this invitation to Miss Clara to attend in his stead. She is not a guest. She is his proxy."Clara herself felt a jolt of shock go through her. She kept her face a mask of calm, but her mind was racing. His proxy? She had picked this card off the dining table at home. Adrian had said his assistant brought it. It didn't add up, unless her brother was far more powerful than she had ever imagined. She kept her mouth shut, watching the utter terror on the faces of her enemies.Ms. Julia stepped toward the center of the room, her voice booming with

She was brimming with an anger so intense it felt like her blood was boiling. She turned to Jada, her eyes wild. "We need to find out exactly who she is."Bianca reached into her hidden pocket and pulled out a small, silver case. Inside sat a high-tech syringe filled with a dark, shimmering liquid. "The card was a favor. But this? This is the end. We aren't just going to take her blood anymore. We’re going to inject her with this. It’s a slow-acting toxin." "It won't kill her, but it will make her so sick she’ll be bedridden for months. She’ll never dare to cross a Rossi again."Bianca grabbed a piece of fine stationery and a pen. She quickly scribbled a note in elegant, looping handwriting:Clara, I cannot live with the shame of my actions. Please meet me in the Rose Gallery for a final, private apology. I have something of your brother’s that you must see.She folded the note and signaled to a young waiter who was passing by the service door. She pressed a thick wad of cash into h

She dragged them through the crowd, ignoring the confused looks from the billionaires and the curious gaze of Ms. Julia. She didn't care about the Diamond Card or the bowing servants anymore. They hurried out of the massive front doors and toward the driveway, where their black car was.As soon as they hopped in and the doors slammed shut, Clara barked at the driver, "Drive! Get us out of here!"The car roared to life, tires screeching against the gravel as they sped away from the Rossi estate. Leo slumped against the leather seat, looking truly heartbroken. "Man, that was the best food I’ve ever seen in my life. Why did we have to bolt? Did you drop the card or something?"Clara leaned her head back, her breathing ragged. She looked at her friends, her eyes dark with a mix of exhaustion and rage. "If we had stayed one extra minute in that house, we would be dead. That house isn't a palace; it’s a den of vipers.""Clara, you're shaking," Maya whispered, reaching out to touch Clara’