Chapter 2: The Man Everyone Waited For
The ballroom doors opened.
Every conversation stopped.
Arthur Vance walked inside.
He wasn't the richest man in the room.
He didn't need to be.
For more than thirty years, Arthur had managed the legal affairs of families whose names were carved into skyscrapers and universities. Entire fortunes moved when he signed a single document.
Victoria smiled immediately.
Perfect timing.
She straightened her dress and confidently stepped toward him.
"Arthur. It's wonderful to—"
He walked right past her.
Didn't nod.
Didn't smile.
Didn't even acknowledge she existed.
His expression had changed.
He wasn't calm.
He looked alarmed.
His pace quickened as he crossed the ballroom.
Guests instinctively stepped aside.
The only sound left was the click of his polished shoes against the marble.
Victoria frowned.
"Arthur?"
He never looked back.
Instead, he stopped in front of the woman still kneeling on the floor beside the wine stain.
May you like
For one impossible second...
No one moved.
