The black Maybach slowed as it approached the red carpet rolled out in front of the Waldorf Astoria. The flashbulbs of the paparazzi popped like strobe lights, blinding the street.
The valet rushed forward and pulled the rear door open.
Cade stepped out first. He wore a bespoke charcoal suit with a subtle pinstripe. The moment his custom leather shoes hit the pavement, the shouting of the press died down into a confused murmur. Cade Kramer did not attend engagement parties for mid-level corporate executives.
Cade ignored the cameras. He turned back to the car and held out his right hand.
Adeline placed her hand in his. The black velvet glove she wore contrasted sharply against his bare skin. She stepped out of the car, the heavy midnight-blue velvet of her dress pooling around her ankles.
The silence lasted exactly three seconds. Then, the flashbulbs erupted in a violent frenzy.
Adeline slipped her hand through Cade's arm. She stood tall, her chin lifted, the pigeon-blood rubies catching the light and throwing red sparks across her collarbones. Beside her, Cade looked like a warlord guarding his treasure.
Inside the grand ballroom, the string quartet played a soft waltz. Evan stood near the center ice sculpture, a glass of champagne in his hand, his arm tightly wrapped around Piper's waist.
The heavy mahogany double doors of the ballroom swung open.
The sudden influx of cold air made several guests turn their heads. The music seemed to falter as the musicians lost their focus.
Adeline and Cade walked through the doors. The crystal chandeliers bathed them in a harsh, brilliant light. The crowd parted instinctively, stepping back to create a wide path.
Near the buffet, Sarah Jennings dropped her champagne flute. The glass shattered against the marble floor, the liquid splashing onto her shoes. She stared at Adeline, her mouth hanging open in pure shock.
Evan heard the glass break. He turned his head, a condescending smile on his face, ready to reprimand whoever made the mess.
The smile froze. The blood drained from Evan's face so fast he looked like a corpse. His pupils dilated in absolute horror.
He stared at the velvet dress. He stared at the rubies. Then, his eyes locked onto Adeline's hand, resting comfortably in the crook of Cade's arm.
A sickening wave of jealousy and rage hit Evan's stomach. His fingers spasmed. He dropped his arm from Piper's waist, practically shoving her aside.
Piper stumbled, her pink dress swishing awkwardly. She followed Evan's gaze. When she saw the rubies around Adeline's neck, her face twisted into an ugly mask of pure envy.
Cade led Adeline straight toward the center of the room. Businessmen bowed their heads as Cade passed. Cade offered nothing but cold nods, his eyes fixed entirely on Adeline, playing the role of a man utterly captivated.
They stopped two feet in front of Evan.
Adeline smiled. It was a slow, devastating curve of her red lips. "Good evening, Evan."
Evan's chest heaved. He stared at her, his voice a tight, venomous hiss. "What are you doing here? Who did you steal that dress from?"
Before Adeline could speak, Cade moved. He slid his hand from her arm down to her waist. He pulled her flush against his side, his fingers pressing firmly into the velvet at her hip.
Cade stared at Evan, his eyes black and dead. "Watch your tone when you speak to the woman who is with me."
The declaration dropped like a bomb. The surrounding guests gasped. Whispers ripped through the crowd like wildfire.
Evan felt the floor tilt beneath him. The humiliation burned his throat. He pointed a shaking finger at Adeline. "Cade, she is a fraud! She is a broke, lying whore! She cannot even afford a cup of coffee!"
Cade let out a short, brutal laugh. He looked at Evan as if he were a cockroach.
"Are you losing your mind along with your company, Evan?" Cade's voice carried across the silent room. "She is with me. Do you think a woman under my protection needs to worry about money?"
Evan's mouth opened and closed, but no sound came out. His entire worldview fractured. He had convinced himself she was starving in the streets, and instead, she was standing here, untouchable, claimed by the one man Evan could never defeat.
Piper stepped forward, her face flushed red. "I am the one connected to the Stafford family! You cannot speak to us like this!"
Cade did not even look at her. He kept his eyes on Evan and let out a single, sharp word. "Leave."
Piper flinched as if she had been slapped. She shrank back, terrified by the sheer violence in his tone.
Adeline lifted her crystal glass of champagne. She reached out and tapped the rim against Evan's frozen glass. A sharp, clear clink rang out in the quiet room.
She turned away, leaving Evan standing in the wreckage of his own pride, and let Cade lead her toward the VIP tables.
