The Astor-Wexler estate loomed against the night sky, a massive stone fortress of old money and power.
Elliana stepped out of the black town car. She wore a sleek, floor-length black Tom Ford gown. It had no jewels, no sequins, just a razor-sharp cut that commanded absolute attention.
She tossed the keys to the valet and walked up the wide marble steps. Her Christian Louboutin heels clicked rhythmically against the stone.
She did not have a physical invitation. She didn't need one. She pulled up the digital family pass on her phone, scanned it at the security podium, and walked through the heavy brass doors.
The main hall was a sea of muted colors-blacks, deep navies, and silvers. The air smelled of expensive champagne and subtle, custom perfumes.
Elliana scanned the room. It took her less than three seconds to find Kyle.
Kyle was standing near a massive floral arrangement, wearing a bright, blindingly pink sequined dress. She looked like a cheap disco ball in a museum.
Kyle was holding the ketchup-stained invitation, waving it around as she tried to force her way into a conversation with three older women wearing pearl necklaces. The women looked at Kyle with thinly veiled disgust.
Kyle spotted Elliana. Her eyes lit up with malicious joy. She pushed past the women and marched straight toward Elliana, her heels stomping awkwardly on the carpet.
"Well, well," Kyle said loudly, shaking the paper invitation in Elliana's face. "Thank you so much for giving up your spot. Devontae insisted I represent the family tonight since I actually know how to talk to important people."
Elliana stood perfectly still. She looked at Kyle the way a scientist looks at a dying insect.
Kyle leaned in closer, dropping her voice to a harsh whisper. "Devontae was so generous last night. He told me you begged him to stay, but he couldn't stand the sight of you."
Elliana took a slow step backward. She raised her hand and elegantly covered her nose.
"You need to step back," Elliana said, her voice carrying clearly over the music. "Your perfume is so cheap and suffocating, it completely ruins the air in here. You are polluting a historical landmark with your desperate need for attention."
Kyle's face turned stark white. Her mouth opened and closed like a fish. She looked around, realizing several people had heard the insult and were smirking.
Elliana dropped her hand and looked past Kyle, toward the far end of the hall where Beatrice Astor-Wexler was holding court.
"It's a shame I didn't bring a gift," Elliana murmured, pretending to speak to herself. "Everyone knows praising that painting in the gallery is the only way Beatrice will acknowledge you."
Kyle's eyes snapped back to Elliana. Greed and triumph flashed in her pupils.
"You are such a coward," Kyle sneered, thinking she had the upper hand. "Watch and learn how it's done."
Kyle spun around. She grabbed the heavy fabric of her pink dress and practically sprinted toward the art gallery.
Elliana watched her go. A dark, cold thrill rushed through her veins.
She plucked a flute of champagne from a passing waiter's tray. She took a slow sip, letting the bubbles burst against her tongue.
She walked leisurely toward the gallery, staying near the walls. When she reached the arched doorway, she stepped behind a heavy velvet curtain, hiding herself in the shadows.
Inside the gallery, Kyle was aggressively pushing her way through a circle of billionaires to stand directly in front of Beatrice.
Beatrice looked at Kyle's pink dress. Her expression turned to solid ice.
Kyle cleared her throat loudly.
Elliana leaned against the wall, took another sip of champagne, and waited for the bomb to go off.
