The mansion buzzed with activity from the moment Elena woke. Florists marched in with towering arrangements of orchids, catering staff streamed through the back entrance with trays of caviar and champagne, and a string quartet rehearsed in the ballroom.
Tonight was one of Adrian King's legendary parties—the kind that filled society pages and set tongues wagging for months afterward.
And Elena, unfortunately, had been assigned to work the event.
She dressed in her plain black uniform, adjusted the stiff apron, and tried to steady her breathing. Crowds made her nervous, and tonight she would be surrounded not by ordinary people, but by the glittering elite of New York's business world.
One mistake—one spilled drink, one clumsy step—and she could ruin everything.
For Liam, she reminded herself, touching the small locket hidden beneath her blouse. Keep your head down. Just get through tonight.
---
By seven o'clock, the mansion was ablaze with golden light. Expensive cars rolled up the driveway one after another, depositing women in shimmering gowns and men in perfectly tailored tuxedos. Laughter and champagne glasses filled the air.
Elena kept her eyes down as she moved through the throng with a tray of hors d'oeuvres. The chandeliers sparkled overhead, their brilliance only matched by the diamonds glittering at every woman's throat. She felt invisible, a shadow skirting the edges of a glittering world she didn't belong in.
She was relieved—until she saw her.
Victoria Hale glided into the room in a gown of scarlet silk that clung to her like a second skin. Diamonds winked at her ears, and her smile was sharper than any blade.
She spotted Elena instantly. And she smirked.
Elena's stomach dropped.
---
The evening passed in a blur of music and chatter. Elena kept her head bowed, praying to go unnoticed. But fate—and Victoria—had other plans.
Near the grand staircase, Victoria intercepted her, eyes gleaming with malice.
"Well, if it isn't the loyal little maid," she purred. "How charming that Adrian lets you serve drinks at such… sophisticated events."
Elena kept her tone polite. "Excuse me, Ms. Hale. I need to get back to work."
But Victoria shifted, blocking her path. "Tell me, do you even know which side of the glass to pour champagne from? Or does Adrian find your fumbling amusing?"
Heat flared in Elena's cheeks. She bit her tongue.
Victoria leaned closer, whispering so only Elena could hear. "This is my world, darling. And I'll make sure you're crushed in it."
Then, with deliberate precision, Victoria 'tripped' against Elena's tray. Crystal flutes toppled, champagne splashing down Elena's uniform in a cold, sticky shower.
Gasps rippled through the crowd. Heads turned.
Elena froze, mortified. She scrambled to gather the broken stems, her face burning as laughter and whispers spread around her.
"Oh dear," Victoria said sweetly, feigning concern. "Such clumsiness. Adrian really should hire better staff."
Elena's throat tightened. The humiliation was unbearable.
And then—Adrian's voice cut through the room like a blade.
"What is going on here?"
The crowd parted as Adrian strode forward, his presence commanding. His eyes swept over the broken glass, the spilled champagne, then landed on Elena.
She wanted to disappear.
Victoria stepped forward quickly. "It was an accident, darling. The poor maid lost control of her tray. I tried to help, but—"
Adrian's gaze pinned her. "Enough."
The room fell silent.
He turned to Elena. "Go to the staff quarters. Change. Then return."
His tone was firm, but not cruel. Still, Elena felt the sting of eyes following her as she fled the room, shame pressing down like a physical weight.
---
In the staff washroom, Elena scrubbed at her stained uniform, her hands trembling. Tears burned at the corners of her eyes, but she refused to let them fall.
Why do I care what they think of me? I'm just a maid. Nothing more.
But Victoria's words clung like poison. This is my world, darling. And I'll make sure you're crushed in it.
Elena changed quickly into a spare uniform and forced herself back into the ballroom. Her humiliation lingered, but she kept her chin low, determined to finish her shift.
She didn't notice Adrian watching her from across the room, his expression unreadable.
---
Later in the evening, as the music swelled and guests moved toward the dance floor, Adrian excused himself from his business partners. He found Victoria near the champagne fountain, her smile triumphant.
"Enjoying yourself?" he asked coolly.
"Of course," she purred, slipping her arm through his. "It's always a pleasure being by your side, Adrian."
His eyes flicked toward Elena, who was quietly refilling glasses at the far edge of the room, her shoulders tense. "Funny. From where I stood, it looked like you went out of your way to humiliate one of my employees."
Victoria's smile didn't falter. "Oh, darling. She embarrassed herself. Honestly, you shouldn't keep someone so… unsophisticated around. It makes you look careless."
Adrian's jaw tightened. "She is my employee. And I don't appreciate games at my parties."
Victoria blinked, startled by the steel in his voice.
But Adrian turned away before she could answer, his eyes following Elena again.
Something about her resilience, her refusal to cry despite her humiliation, stirred something unfamiliar in him. Something dangerous.
---
The night dragged on. Elena worked in silence, each step heavy with exhaustion. When the last guest finally departed, she slipped into the kitchen to clean up, praying the ordeal was over.
But as she scrubbed dishes at the sink, a voice drifted through the door.
Victoria's voice.
"…pathetic little girl. Did you see her face when the champagne spilled? Adrian can deny it all he wants, but he'll grow tired of her soon. He always does."
Elena froze, her chest tightening.
She didn't want to listen, but the words carved into her anyway, leaving wounds deeper than any knife.
She sank against the counter, pressing a hand to her mouth to stifle a sob.
Maybe she's right. Maybe I don't belong here at all.
But somewhere deep inside, another voice whispered back—quiet but unyielding.
For Liam. You can't give up. Not yet.
And so, with trembling hands, Elena returned to her work.
She didn't notice Adrian standing just outside the kitchen, having overheard every poisonous word Victoria had spoken. His eyes darkened, his mind already turning.
For the first time in years, Adrian King felt fury that wasn't directed at a rival—but at someone who dared to harm a woman who had done nothing but try to survive.
End of Chapter Five.