Chapter 6 - The Uninvited Guests
The grand ballroom of the Beverly Hills Hotel was a sea of crystal chandeliers, white orchids, and hundreds of guests dressed in black tie. At the far end of the room, a raised stage featured a long signing table covered in velvet, where two large leather folders containing the merger documents sat beneath the bright lights of the television cameras.
Victoria Montgomery stood near the stage, wearing a champagne-colored gown that screamed wealth, her diamond necklace flashing as she laughed with a group of international investors. Beside her stood Mr. Vance, the old man from the night before, looking smug in a tuxedo, a glass of champagne in his hand, his eyes scanning the room like a hawk looking for prey.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the master of ceremonies announced over the microphone, his voice echoing through the ballroom. "Welcome to the annual Pacific Logistics Gala. Tonight, we celebrate a monumental milestone as Montgomery Logistics joins forces with Vance Industries to create the largest transport empire on the West Coast!"
The crowd erupted into polite applause. Victoria stepped onto the stage, her smile radiant, completely hiding the desperation that was eating her alive inside.
"Thank you, everyone," Victoria said into the microphone, her voice dripping with smooth charm. "My late husband would be so proud to see this day. Although my dear stepdaughter, Aria, could not be here tonight due to a sudden, unfortunate illness, she has sent her full blessings for this historic union—"
"That is a lie, Victoria."
The words didn't come from a microphone, yet they cut through the ballroom like a thunderclap.
The heavy double doors at the back of the ballroom swung open. Every head in the room turned.
Aria Montgomery walked into the ballroom, her midnight blue cape flowing behind her, her posture straight, her eyes blazing with absolute authority. Beside her walked Ethan Cross, his arm linked with hers, his presence instantly draining the energy from the room. The sheer weight of the Cross name caused a collective gasp to ripple through the crowd of billionaires and politicians.
Victoria’s microphone shook in her hand, feedback screeching loudly through the speakers. Her face went from radiant to an ash-gray color within a single second.
"Aria?" Victoria whispered, her voice cracking through the sound system. "What... what are you doing here?"
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Mr. Vance dropped his champagne glass, the crystal shattering loudly on the hardwood floor.
"I am here to attend my father’s company meeting," Aria said, her voice clear, amplified by the sudden, dead silence of the ballroom. She walked down the center aisle, her bandaged feet moving flawlessly, her eyes locked onto her stepmother’s terrified gaze. "And to introduce my new business partner."
