Arthur clapped his hands, and a swarm of staff descended on the wreckage. They worked with quiet efficiency, sweeping up the glass, mopping the champagne, and dragging away the ruined table.
Within ten minutes, the center of the room was clear. The only evidence of the disaster was the faint smell of alcohol and the lingering shock on the guests' faces.
The band, taking their cue from Arthur, struck up a softer tune, trying to restore a sense of normalcy to the evening.
Harrison Knowles stepped up onto the small stage at the front of the room. He tapped the microphone, the sound echoing through the space.
The crowd fell silent, their attention shifting from the drama to the patriarch. This was what they had really come for-the power, the connections, the spectacle of wealth.
Greggory stood near the front of the crowd, his hands clasped in front of him. He took a deep breath, squaring his shoulders. This was his moment.
He was absolutely certain that Annalise was going to use this opportunity to break free. The tantrum, the public humiliation of Alta-it all pointed to a woman pushed to the edge. She was going to refuse the arranged marriage, and he was going to be there to catch her.
He had his speech ready. The one where he would denounce the old ways, take her hand, and lead her out into the night. It was going to be legendary.
Annalise stood off to the side of the stage, her hands folded neatly in front of her. Angelo stood a few feet behind her, a silent, looming presence.
Eddy materialized at her elbow, his voice barely a whisper. "The photos have been sent to the columnist."
Annalise gave a slight nod. Alta's social death was now a certainty. By morning, the pictures of her exposed and falling would be on every screen in the country.
Harrison began his speech, the usual platitudes about family, legacy, and the future. He thanked the guests for their support, raising a glass to the city they called home.
"And most importantly," he said, his voice booming with pride, "today is a day of celebration. My daughter, Annalise, turns twenty-one."
The crowd applauded politely. Greggory leaned forward, his eyes locked on Annalise. He gave her a small, encouraging nod. The signal they had agreed upon. The signal for her to make her move.
Annalise looked at him. She let her gaze linger on his face for a long moment.
Then, she smiled. It wasn't the smile he was expecting. It was cold, sharp, and utterly devoid of love. It was the smile of a woman looking at a dead man walking.
Greggory's stomach dropped. The confidence in his eyes flickered, replaced by a sudden, cold uncertainty.
Harrison's voice cut through the tension. "Today, I also have another announcement to make."
Greggory straightened his tie, his heart hammering against his ribs. This was it. The rejection. The scandal. The beginning of their life together.
"My daughter, Annalise, is engaged to be married!" Harrison announced, his smile wide and genuine.
Greggory puffed out his chest, ready to step forward and claim her.
"To Angelo Molina."
The words hit Greggory like a physical blow. The air rushed out of his lungs, his ears ringing.
The crowd erupted in gasps and applause. Angelo Molina was a legend. He was the man who built an empire from nothing, the phantom of the financial world. And he was marrying the Knowles heiress.
Angelo stepped out of the shadows. He moved with a quiet, predatory grace, climbing the steps to the stage. He stopped right next to Annalise.
He reached into his jacket pocket, pulling out a velvet box. He flipped it open, revealing a massive diamond that caught the stage lights, and without a word, he slipped it onto her ring finger. Then, he took her hand in his, his grip firm and warm. He didn't just hold it; he claimed it, intertwining their fingers so the large diamond caught the light.
Annalise didn't hesitate. She squeezed his hand back, lifting their joined hands to face the crowd. She was beaming, a picture of joy and triumph.
Greggory stood frozen in the crowd. His mouth was hanging open, his eyes wide and unseeing. He looked like a man who had just watched his entire world collapse. He was a statue of humiliation, a joke in a expensive suit.
Annalise didn't spare him a second glance. She kept her eyes on the crowd, on the future, on the man beside her.
Angelo looked down at her. The coldness in his eyes had melted away, replaced by something deep and possessive. It was a look that said mine, a look that promised forever.
Under the cover of the applause, Annalise allowed herself a small, real smile. The first piece was in place.
