Chapter 1: A Mother's Fury
The instant Lily cried out, Victoria Hayes dropped the champagne glass in her hand.
Crystal shattered across the marble floor.
Every head turned toward her as she rushed through the crowd without saying a word.
At the center of the ballroom stood her six-year-old daughter, tears streaming down her face while Cassandra Beaumont gripped her tiny arm so tightly that red marks had already begun to appear.
"Let her go," Victoria said.
Her voice was calm.
Too calm.
Cassandra laughed.
"Your daughter wandered into the VIP section. Someone should teach her where she belongs."
Victoria stepped closer.
"My daughter belongs wherever I do."
Cassandra rolled her eyes.
"I don't think so."
Instead of releasing Lily, she tightened her grip.
Lily cried even louder.
Victoria gently pulled her daughter behind her before locking eyes with Cassandra.
"You have exactly five seconds to apologize."
The ballroom fell silent.
Cassandra smiled with complete confidence.
"Or what?"
Victoria didn't answer.
She simply reached into her purse and made one phone call.
"Come upstairs."
Then she hung up.
No explanation.
No threats.
May you like
Just three words.
Nobody understood why Cassandra suddenly looked uneasy.
