Chapter 10 - The Gala of Wolves
Three days later, the Vance Foundation's annual charity gala was held at the grand estate ballroom. Hundreds of elite guests in designer gowns and tailored tuxedos mingled beneath glittering chandeliers, sipping champagne and discussing stock portfolios, completely oblivious to the war waging beneath the surface. Clara was forced to wear her maid uniform and serve appetizers, acting as part of the invisible background while carrying the weight of the hidden ledger in her apron pocket. Arthur watched her from across the room, flanked by board members who smiled falsely while trying to probe his intentions regarding the upcoming restructuring of the company. Julian approached Arthur with a glass of vintage wine, his smile dripping with malice as he whispered that Clara's days at the estate were numbered. Arthur kept his composure, clinking his glass against Julian’s with chilling calm, whispering back that some secrets are buried too deep to ever stay hidden. Across the room, one of Julian’s associates caught Clara’s eye, giving her a slow, menacing nod that sent a shiver down her spine. The trap was set, and both sides were waiting for the other to make the fatal mistake.
