[
BONUS
Chapter
for 200 PS! Thank you all! ????]
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The Grand Plaza Hotel's ballroom was a sight to behold, its opulence overwhelming even the most seasoned guests.
Towering chandeliers adorned with thousands of glimmering crystals bathed the room in a warm, golden light, casting a glow that danced across the marble floors.
The hall was massive, with high arched ceilings embellished with intricate gold leaf designs, reminiscent of European palaces. Every detail, from the velvet drapes cascading down the walls to the polished mahogany tables, exuded extravagance.
Long, gleaming banquet tables stretched across the space, laden with the finest gourmet selections from across the globe.
Each table was a symphony of color and taste—delicate hors d'oeuvres, like caviar atop hand-crafted blinis, shared space with towering displays of fresh seafood, including lobster tails and oysters served on beds of crushed ice.
A carving station showcased wagyu beef, seared to perfection, with chefs carving thin, melt-in-your-mouth slices for eager attendees.
For dessert, an entire table was dedicated to a stunning array of intricately designed cakes, macarons, and pastries, each one a miniature work of art.
The air was filled with the soft hum of conversation and the occasional tinkling of champagne glasses. Waiters in crisp black uniforms wove seamlessly through the crowd, carrying silver trays with flutes of Dom Pérignon and expertly crafted cocktails.
Still, Sullivan and Sophia basked in the praise directed at them for hosting such a grand and successful affair. Every compliment, every nod of approval, was fuel for their ambitions.
The evening was not just a celebration—it was an opportunity.
For Sullivan, it was a chance to bolster his own company, to reel in clients from the Rosette Corporation and quietly entice them into his growing empire.
Each conversation he held was calculated, each handshake a potential business transaction in disguise. His eyes flickered with satisfaction as he noted the interest sparked in some of the more influential guests.
This event was a masterstroke in expanding his reach, solidifying his place among the upper echelons of power.
Sophia, however, had a different goal. Her sharp eyes scanned the crowd until they settled on Cole Fay. He stood near the side of the ballroom, mingling with other young elites, his presence commanding attention.
His family—Cain Fay, the renowned mogul, and his beautiful wife Leanna—were elsewhere, charming the guests with effortless grace.
Marrying into the Fay family was every socialite's dream—a golden ticket to untold wealth, power, and prestige.
And tonight, all eyes in the grand ballroom were fixed on Cole Fay, the most desirable bachelor in the room.
To the young maidens of high society, he was more than just a man; he was an emblem of status, the key to a future draped in luxury until the end of the world.
But despite the lingering gazes and unspoken desires that hung heavy in the air, there was an invisible barrier around him, an impenetrable wall that kept the eager women at bay.
Cole stood tall in his crisp white suit, exuding an aura of cold detachment that made even the boldest of hearts hesitate. His sharp eyes, a mirror of his father's, could slice through the bravest soul with a single look, sending would-be suitors scurrying back into the shadows.
Though he was undeniably the centerpiece of the room, there was something untouchable about him, something that repelled the advances of those who longed to be near.
His reputation for a sharp tongue and indifferent attitude was well-known, and it matched the cold arrogance of his father, Cain Fay.