The crystal chandeliers of the Harrington Grand's grand ballroom cast a blinding radiance, refracting off the expensive champagne flutes carried by impeccably uniformed servers. Tonight was more than a 50th-anniversary celebration for the Harrington Group; it was a stage for Manhattan's social predators to flash their fangs.
In the corner of the room, Selena Harrington stood clad in a breathtaking blood-red couture gown. Beside her, Anne Walker looked awkward yet strained to appear high-class in a dress Selena had purchased for her.
"Are you certain she'll show up, Selena?" Anne whispered, her eyes darting around restlessly. "What if that old man last night really was your grandfather? I have a bad feeling about this."
