The Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel was a sea of silk, diamonds, and old money.
Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over Manhattan's elite. Waiters in white gloves moved silently with trays of champagne, while a string quartet played softly in the corner.
But the music stopped the moment the double doors swung open.
A hush fell over the room. Heads turned. Whispers ignited like wildfire.
Julian Blackwood walked in, radiating an aura of dark, untouchable power. But for once, the eyes weren't just on him. They were glued to the woman on his arm.
Elena Vance.
She wore the midnight-blue velvet gown like armor. The fabric clung to her curves, the backless cut revealing creamy, flawless skin. Her dark hair cascaded over one shoulder, and the diamond earrings Julian had given her caught the light with every step.
She didn't look like a fired HR manager. She looked like the owner of the building.
"Don't look down," Julian murmured, his voice low and steady. "Look through them."
Elena adjusted her glasses. Her Data Eye activated, scanning the room.
Guest A: Net Worth $50M. (Inherited).
Guest B: Net Worth -$2M. (Ponzi Scheme).
Target Located: Arthur Sterling.
Arthur stood near the champagne tower, laughing at a joke made by a Senator. Next to him was Victoria Belmont, the heiress to the Belmont banking fortune. She was petite, blonde, and wearing a white lace dress that looked suspiciously like a wedding gown.
Arthur turned, his glass halfway to his mouth. When he saw Elena, he froze. The champagne flute slipped from his fingers and shattered on the marble floor.
Crash.
The sound echoed through the silent room.
"Elena?" Arthur whispered, his face draining of color.
Victoria Belmont frowned, looking at the mess, then at Elena. Her eyes narrowed. She recognized the "ex-girlfriend" from the photos Arthur had shown her—the "crazy stalker" he claimed he had left years ago.
Arthur rushed forward, his face twisting into a mix of panic and anger. He grabbed Elena's arm, pulling her away from Julian.
"What the hell are you doing here?" Arthur hissed, his voice trembling. "Did you follow me? I told you, it's over! Security will throw you out in two seconds."
Elena calmly removed his hand from her arm, as if picking off a piece of lint.
"Don't touch the velvet, Arthur," she said, her voice cool and carrying effortlessly through the quiet room. "You can't afford the dry cleaning bill."
"You're making a scene!" Arthur looked around nervously. "Look, I know you're hurt. I know you're broke. I can write you a check for your... severance. Just leave. Victoria is pregnant. Don't ruin this for her."
"Ruin it?" Elena smiled. It was a terrifying smile. "I'm here to celebrate."
She took a step closer to Victoria, who had walked over to stand by Arthur, looking at Elena with pure disdain.
"So this is the 'Assistant' you told me about," Victoria sneered, looking Elena up and down. "A bit old for a party crasher, isn't she?"
Elena's eyes flashed. The Data Eye locked onto Victoria's hand.
[ITEM DETECTED: Diamond Engagement Ring]
Carat: 3.5 Carat, Cushion Cut.
Origin: Tiffany & Co., 5th Avenue.
Purchase Date: October 14th.
Payment Source: Wire Transfer #8821 (Sender: Elena Vance).
Elena laughed. It was a soft, genuine laugh that unsettled everyone.
"Victoria," Elena said, her tone conversational. "That is a stunning ring. VVS1 clarity, cushion cut. It cost exactly $48,500, didn't it?"
Victoria blinked, surprised. "How do you know the price?"
"Because I paid for it," Elena said clearly.
The crowd gasped.
Arthur's face turned purple. "She's lying! She's crazy!"
"Am I?" Elena pulled out her phone. She didn't need to unlock it; she just held it up. "October 14th. I wired $50,000 to Arthur's 'Lab Equipment Fund' for a new server. Strange how the server looks exactly like a diamond on your finger."
She looked at Arthur, whose knees were visibly shaking.
[TARGET: Arthur Sterling]
Heart Rate: 140 BPM (Panic).
Social Status: Plummeting.
"You didn't buy a ring, Arthur," Elena continued, her voice cutting him like a knife. "You bought a lie with my life savings. And now, you're trying to marry into the Belmont family with a stolen credit score."
"Security!" Victoria shrieked, her face red. "Get this trash out of here!"
Two large guards stepped forward. Arthur smirked, thinking he was saved.
"I wouldn't do that," a deep voice rumbled from behind Elena.
Julian Blackwood stepped into the light. He placed a possessive hand on the small of Elena's back. The temperature in the room seemed to drop ten degrees.
"Mr... Mr. Blackwood?" The head of security froze.
Julian looked at Arthur with the indifference of a god looking at an insect.
"Ms. Vance is my guest," Julian announced to the silent ballroom. "And she is also the new Chief Strategy Officer for Blackwood Industries."
He turned his gaze to Victoria Belmont.
"And, Victoria? If you want to keep that ring, I suggest you ask your fiancé why his 'Tech Startup' is currently being audited for fraud."
Julian guided Elena away, turning his back on the sputtering couple.
"Shall we get a drink, Elena?" Julian asked loud enough for everyone to hear. "I believe we have a merger to discuss."
As they walked away, Elena glanced back.
Arthur was standing in the middle of the shattered glass, Victoria was screaming at him, and the entire elite society of New York was whispering his name.
Elena took a sip of champagne. It tasted like victory.