The Incredible Charlie Maxwell

CHAPTER 11

The Skyrun Hotel's grand ballroom shimmered under the glow of crystal chandeliers, each one worth more than most people earned in a year. Claudia Grant glided through the crowd like royalty, her emerald gown catching the light as she accepted compliments from high society guests. This was her moment—the night she'd spent six months planning, the event that would cement the Grant family's position among the city's elite.

"Mrs. Grant, this is absolutely magnificent," gushed Rebecca Morrison, wife of a prominent real estate developer. "You've outdone yourself."

Claudia's smile was practiced to perfection. "Only the best for my boys' twenty-first birthday. After all, they're the future of Grant Corporation."

Across the room, Jim and Jey held court among their friends, their tailored suits and expensive watches announcing their status. Jim's voice carried as he recounted some exaggerated story about their father's business prowess.

"When the Claire Corporation deal closes next week, we'll be expanding into three new markets," Jim bragged, chest puffed with borrowed accomplishments. "Father's been negotiating for months."

His friend Marcus laughed. "Meanwhile, your stepbrother's probably scrubbing toilets somewhere to pay off his debts."

The group erupted in laughter. Jey smirked, adding, "Charlie always was pathetic. Even when he lived with us, he acted like he deserved better than the basement."

"Where is the charity case tonight?" someone asked. "Didn't have the courage to show his face?"

"Please," Jey scoffed. "He knows he doesn't belong here. This is a party for people who matter."

Twenty feet away, Jacy Grant stood alone on the balcony, her champagne untouched. The laughter and false congratulations turned her stomach. She'd tried calling Charlie three times that evening, wanting to hear his voice, to apologize for her family's cruelty. Each call went unanswered.

Inside, Angela Samuel made her entrance on Jim's arm, her red dress designed to turn heads. She laughed too loudly at his jokes, playing her role of the devoted girlfriend, but her eyes kept darting to the entrance. Part of her wondered if Charlie would appear, if he'd somehow found success and would return to prove them all wrong. The thought was quickly dismissed as fantasy.

"Angela, darling, you look stunning," Gory said, approaching with Vera. Both were dressed expensively, courtesy of their friendship with the Grant triplets.

"Of course she does," Vera added with a knowing smile. "She's dating into money now. Much better than wasting time on broke scholarship students."

Angela's laugh sounded hollow even to her own ears. "Charlie was a mistake I've happily corrected."

Charles Grant stood with a circle of businessmen near the bar, whiskey in hand, discussing the upcoming Claire Corporation deal with the confidence of someone counting profits before they arrived.

"Perry Stone himself will be here tonight," Charles announced. "He's bringing final documentation. Once we sign, Grant Corporation enters a new tier entirely."

"You've built something impressive, Charles," said Richard Chen, Marcus's father. "Starting from nothing and reaching this level—it's the American dream."

Charles accepted the praise with a modest nod, never mentioning the mysterious help that had appeared at crucial moments in his early career, the connections that materialized from nowhere, the resources that seemed to fall into his lap. He'd convinced himself it was all his doing, his vision, his talent. Claire had been merely a supportive wife.

The doors opened and Perry Stone entered with his son Jerry, both impeccably dressed. The room's energy shifted as guests recognized the senior executive from Claire Corporation. Claudia descended on them immediately.

"Mr. Stone, welcome! We're so honored you could attend." Her voice dripped with practiced charm.

Perry smiled politely. "Wouldn't miss it. Your boys are graduating soon, correct? Beginning their careers?"

"Yes, and they're so looking forward to learning from partnerships like ours," Claudia said, steering him toward Charles.

Jerry Stone surveyed the room with barely concealed disdain. These people thought they were elite, but they were merely wealthy. Real power, like his family wielded through Claire Corporation, was something different entirely.

As Perry and Charles shook hands, beginning their carefully rehearsed conversation about the deal, whispers began rippling through the crowd.

"Did you hear? The Maxwell heir is supposed to attend tonight."

"Really? I thought they kept him completely private."

"Apparently, he's been operating through some scholarship program, staying anonymous."

"Imagine—the Maxwell fortune, and no one even knows what he looks like."

Claudia overheard and felt a thrill of anticipation. Having the Maxwell heir at her party would be the ultimate social triumph. She'd orchestrated the invitation through Perry Stone, dropping hints that such an appearance would demonstrate Claire Corporation's partnership with promising families like the Grants.

The ballroom buzzed with speculation and excitement. Guests positioned themselves strategically, hoping to be among the first to meet the legendary Maxwell heir. Jim and Jey preened, imagining the connections they'd make, the opportunities that would unfold.

Only Jacy felt a growing unease, a sense that something significant was about to happen. She moved back inside from the balcony, her eyes fixed on the entrance.

The night was about to change in ways none of them could imagine.