Chapter 4 - The Society Auction
Two weeks after the collapse of Vance Logistics, the annual Metcalfe Charity Gala was held at the Plaza Hotel. It was the premier gathering of New York’s old-money elite and ruthless new-money titans.
I arrived on Gabriel's arm, draped in a backless sapphire velvet gown that accentuated every curve, the Rossi family heirloom necklace resting heavily on my collarbone—a lattice of raw diamonds and deep sapphires that had once belonged to Gabriel's grandmother.
Whispers parted like waves before us as we entered the grand ballroom.
"Look at her," someone murmured from the champagne lounge. "That's Gabriel Rossi’s wife. Vance’s ex-fiancée. They say she orchestrated the takeover herself."
"He bought her out of five million in debt just to crush Liam Vance..."
I kept my head high, Gabriel’s arm firm and supportive beneath my fingers. He leaned down, his warm breath tickling my ear. "They are afraid of you, Chloe."
"They're afraid of you, Gabriel," I countered under my breath.
"No," he whispered, a rare, genuine pride dancing in his dark eyes. "They are afraid of what you represent. A woman who rose from the grave their world dug for her, carrying the keys to the kingdom."
Across the room, standing beside a group of icy socialites, was Vanessa Harrington. She wore an ostentatious yellow gown, but her posture was rigid, her face drawn. Without Liam’s charm or her father’s unconditional backing, she looked isolated.
When Gabriel stepped away for three minutes to speak with a federal judge sitting in the VIP box, Vanessa seized her chance. She intercepted me near the marble terrace.
"You think you’ve won, don't you?" Vanessa spat, her champagne flute trembling in her French-manicured hand.
I turned gracefully, holding my wine glass with relaxed composure. "Good evening, Vanessa. Lovely dress. It’s very... bright."
"Liam came to my apartment crying two nights ago!" she hissed, stepping closer. "You ruined him! You had Gabriel strip him of everything! He’s facing federal fraud charges!"
"Liam orchestrated his own fraud, Vanessa. Gabriel merely handed the evidence to the Securities and Exchange Commission."
"You're a monster," Vanessa whispered furiously. "You think Gabriel loves you? You're a trophy. A clean slate for a butcher! As soon as the Rossi syndicate passes the federal audit, he’ll discard you like the charity case you are!"
Before I could answer, a hand settled gently, possessively onto my hip. The air instantly cooled.
"If anyone is being discarded tonight, Vanessa," Gabriel’s voice rumbled from behind me, smooth and dangerous, "it will be your father’s logistics contract at the southern terminal."
Vanessa froze, turning pale.
"I overheard your assessment of my marriage," Gabriel continued, his tone conversational yet utterly chilling. "Let me clarify something for you and your circle. My wife did not ask me to ruin Liam Vance. She didn't have to. The moment he laid hands on her at the botanical conservatory, his fate was sealed."
Gabriel took a step forward, his shadow engulfing Vanessa entirely. "Tell your father that if I hear your voice addressed to Mrs. Rossi again, his ships will not find a port anywhere between Boston and Miami. Do we understand each other?"
Vanessa swallowed hard, tears of pure humiliation stinging her eyes. She nodded mutely, turned on her heel, and fled into the crowd.
I looked up at Gabriel. His jaw was clenched, his eyes blazing with an uncharacteristic, protective fury.
"Gabriel," I said softly, touching the lapel of his tuxedo. "You didn't have to threaten her family."
May you like
He looked down at me, his gaze softening into something raw and unguarded. "I told you, Chloe. No one touches you. No one speaks down to you. Ever again."
***
