the ballroom was so thick it felt like it w

hoed through the

Is there an emergency requir

the chief wealth manager for the Dudley empire, his voice

user pocket, striking a pose of supreme, vindicated confidence. He swept his gaze

ed, his tone dripping with arrogant authority. "I want you to confirm, right now, on speakerphone

at Abbey. "And please inform our guests th

d, rhythmic clacking of a mech

heavy, uncomfortable silen

recken demanded, his brow fu

poke, his professional tone was lace

. but are you perhaps mistak

ulled his hand out of his pocket. "Mistak

His voice boomed through the b

t was completely frozen five years ago

tive, deafening gasp erupted from the hundreds of guests.

ned from his face so fast he looked like a corps

e!" Brecken yelled at the phone

himself from the fallout. "According to the authorization documents signed by Madam B

ickening sweat broke out across his forehead.

Arthur stated, delivering the fatal blow. "The account is registered under the name of Mi

lroom e

r of outrage and scandal. The elite guests st

ter to rot in prison with nothing, and ga

sters. Absolu

recken like physical blows. His hand shook so violen

stood in her frayed uniform, h

." Brecken muttered into the microphone, his elite facade co

r right leg forw

d out her hand. Her skin was rough, covered in calluses and sc

ing through the air like a jagged blade. "I didn't blow your money in underground casino

ade slicing through the D

run forward to stop the humiliation, but Chandler grabbed her arm, his fingers

e had stood on for five years crumbled into dust beneat

. His narcissistic brain frantically searche

y cutting the call. He spun around and glared at Abbe

ken screamed, spitting the words at her face. "You kept your mout

st, desperately trying to paint