The banquet hall of THE GRAND REGAL HOTEL stretched before them like a palace from another era. Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, each one worth more than most people earned in a lifetime.James stepped inside beside Elena, immediately sensing the shift in atmosphere. Outside had been polished luxury; inside was something deeper—old money meeting new ambition, carefully curated conversations masking ruthless calculations. The air smelled of expensive perfume and aged wine, underlaid with the faint scent of ambition.Servers in crisp white uniforms glided between guests, offering champagne flutes and delicate canapés arranged like artwork. A string quartet played softly in one corner, their music barely audible beneath the hum of practiced laughter and strategic networking."I need to prepare for the evening," Elena said quietly, her hand briefly touching James's arm. "The speeches, the formalities. You understand."James nodded. "Of course.""Make yourself comfortable a

Beside her, Simon's entire body went rigid. "You've got to be kidding me," he muttered, his voice tight with disbelief and rising anger.Sophia's earlier confidence wavered, confusion and fury warring in her chest. James, her pathetic ex-husband who had nothing, who was nothing, sat at Marcus Sterling's main table as if he belonged there.The sight made no sense. It violated everything she understood about how the world worked.Simon's hand tightened on her waist, and when she glanced at his face, she saw his jaw clenched, his eyes blazing with hatred barely contained beneath a veneer of composure."Come on," Simon said through gritted teeth. "Let's go remind that parasite exactly where he belongs.”Simon's grip on Sophia's waist tightened as they approached the main table, his polished smile replaced by something more predatory. Several guests turned to watch their progress, sensing drama in the way Simon's shoulders squared and Sophia's face flushed with barely contained anger.Jame

The air in the banquet hall felt thick and oppressive, as if Elena's fury had physical weight. Her presence dominated the space in a way that had nothing to do with beauty or wealth—it was something deeper, more primal, authority that couldn't be bought or faked.No one dared speak. No one dared move.Three hundred of the city's most powerful people stood frozen like children caught misbehaving, their eyes fixed on the scene unfolding before them. The string quartet had long since lowered their instruments. Servers stood motionless against the walls, champagne bottles forgotten in their hands.Simon remained on the floor where Elena's slap had sent him, his hand pressed to his newly burning cheek, his face cycling through shock, confusion, and dawning horror. Beside him, Sophia stood rigid, her crimson gown suddenly seeming garish rather than elegant, her carefully styled hair and makeup unable to hide the terror creeping into her expression.Elena's dark eyes swept across them both w

The announcements kept coming, each one another hammer blow to Sophia's crumbling world."Paramount Pictures will not be moving forward with the romantic drama we discussed," announced a woman in silver sequins, her voice carrying across the hall with devastating clarity. "We require actors of unimpeachable character for our productions."Sophia's head snapped toward her. That had been a lead role—eight million dollar budget, prestigious director, awards potential, gone in the blink of an eye."Diamond Luxury Watches is canceling our endorsement contract," called out a man in a navy suit. "Our brand cannot be associated with individuals who misrepresent their relationships with prominent families."Another endorsement. That one would have paid seven figures annually for three years. Vanished.A woman with sharp features and sharper jewelry stepped forward. "Elite Fashion House withdraws our offer for Miss Carver to be the face of our spring collection. We've already begun discussions

The private suite occupied the entire top floor of THE GRAND REGAL HOTEL's east wing. The interior was decorated with understated elegance—cream leather furniture, abstract art that probably cost more than most cars, soft lighting that created an atmosphere of intimate privacy.James stood by the windows while Elena poured two glasses of wine from a crystal decanter. The sounds of the banquet below were completely muted up here, leaving only the quiet clink of glass and the distant hum of the city outside."I hope I didn't overstep," Elena said, handing him a glass. Her voice was measured, professional, but there was a hint of something else beneath it—uncertainty, perhaps. "With your ex-wife, I mean. If my actions caused you any discomfort—""They didn't," James interrupted, taking the glass but not drinking. "What happens to Sophia isn't my concern anymore."He said it flatly, without emotion, and Elena studied his face carefully. There was no regret there, no lingering attachment,