rom the grand ballroom, mingling with the

ed the main

arlight. In t

iquid night, catching the l

. Whispers f

er eyes widening in admiration, then a flicker of

fountain. He looked handsome, superficial, and

er from a passing tray.

welled. A hush fe

ley made h

Starlig

lung to Brooke's figure, the intricate beadwork catching the light. Brooke'

r eyes scanning the crowd for Ava, no do

e her moment. L

d towards the center

her own gown shimmeri

in the sudden silence. "That' s a lovely dress. The Star

ile faltered. Color

Brooke stammered, her eyes darting arou

only makes one of each. And this one," Ava gestured to a small, almost invisible insig

ootage from my private dressing room, timestamped this morning, showing you, Bro

placed large screen on the

e. Brooke, furtive, snat

led throug

er mouth agape. "No! That' s..

oftly. "Or is this just anot

ke would never! You' re just jealous, a spoiled, entitled bra

, his voice loud

him, her exp

your distant cousin is..

fectly aligned with your family's current financial difficulties and your desperat

as if struck.

our father' s latest quarterly reports. Or should I

led, spe

e you doing this to me? I thought we were friends! I just

king? And then lie about its origin? Please, Brooke. Your acti