Chapter 7 - The Gala of Traps
Two weeks later, the annual New York Metropolitan Symphony Gala was held at the Lincoln Center. It was the premier event of the season, and every member of high society was in attendance.
Tonight was the public debut of Cassian Voss and his new fiancée.
When the doors opened, Cassian stepped out of his limousine, looking devastatingly handsome in a custom black velvet tuxedo. But it was the woman on his arm who stole every breath in the courtyard.
Elena was magnificent. She wore a bespoke obsidian-black ballgown crafted from silk taffeta, featuring a off-the-shoulder neckline that showcased her soft, gorgeous shoulders and a fitted bodice that hugged her breathtaking curves. Around her neck hung a fifty-carat diamond necklace from the Voss family vault.
As they walked down the red carpet, hundreds of camera flashes lit up the night sky. Reporters shouted questions frantically.
"Miss Marlow! How does it feel to go from serving champagne to wearing the Voss diamonds?!"
"Mr. Voss! Is it true your brother has returned to challenge your inheritance?!"
Damon kept his arm tightly around Elena’s waist, guiding her safely past the press pack into the grand marble foyer.
"You are doing wonderfully," Cassian whispered in her ear, kissing her cheek for the benefit of the surrounding photographers. "Keep your chin up, my queen."
As they entered the main ballroom, the crowd parted respectfully. But at the far end of the room, standing near a private bar, was a man who looked shockingly like Cassian—yet twisted by dark vice.
Julian Voss was taller, paler, with sharp, hollow cheeks and eyes that gleamed with malicious cruelty. He held a glass of absinthe, smiling widely as he watched Cassian and Elena approach.
"Brother," Julian purred, his voice raspy and unpleasant. "You look thriving. And this must be the little servant girl who played her way into our family fortune."
Cassian shifted subtly, placing himself slightly in front of Elena. "Julian. You were banned from setting foot in New York by court order."
"Court orders are for poor people, Cassian," Julian laughed softly, taking a slow sip of his drink. He leaned to the side, peering at Elena with disgusting intensity. "She really is quite stunning, isn't she? So soft... so lush. Much better than those skinny high-society debutantes father used to force on you."
Elena stepped out from behind Cassian, meeting Julian’s sinister gaze with cold composure. "Mr. Voss. I hear you enjoy playing games with people's lives."
Julian’s eyes brightened with sick amusement. "Ah, she has a voice! Tell me, Miss Marlow, how much is my dear brother paying you to play the loving bride? Five million? Ten? I’ll double it right now if you walk out that door and tell the press it’s all a fraud."
"My loyalty isn't for sale," Elena replied smoothly. "And unlike you, your brother actually has a soul worth standing beside."
Julian’s laughter died instantly. A dark, terrifying shadow crossed his face.
"A soul?" Julian sneered, leaning in close. "You think Cassian is a good man? Ask him about the night our father died, Miss Marlow. Ask him who held the pillow over the old man's face while he was choking on his own blood in his hospital bed."
Elena felt a shockwave hit her chest. She glanced at Cassian.
May you like
Cassian’s jaw was set like iron. He didn't deny it. He didn't affirm it. He simply stared at his brother with absolute, deadly silence.
"Enjoy the party, lovers," Julian whispered with a venomous smile, stepping past them into the crowd. "Because by midnight, the truth will come out, and both of you will be in handcuffs."
