Chapter 3

Adrian did not look at me.

"Serena Hale," he said.

The coordinator hesitated.

"Sir, the documents sent by the Vale family still list Evelyn Vale as the authorized representative."

"Then update the name card." Adrian's voice did not change. "Serena will handle the signing process tonight."

The coordinator looked as if he wanted to say something else.

Adrian's voice dropped.

"Do it."

For one second, no one moved.

Then the coordinator stepped back into the signing room.

Serena raised her hand and touched the white rose brooch on her chest.

Dinner service began.

Every camera focused on the head table. Serena smiled. Whenever Adrian spoke, she leaned slightly toward him. She held a glass of champagne and moved easily through every guest who came forward to toast them.

I did not stay in the banquet hall. I stood, leaving my untouched glass of water on the table.

I needed to go to the lounge outside the hall and retrieve my mother's brooch certificate and the signed authorization documents.

I had just reached the corridor leading backstage when someone stepped into my path.

Adrian stood there.

"Where are you going?"

"To get the only thing that will let your father sleep tonight," I said, looking at him.

Adrian's mouth tightened. He raised one hand. Two security guards in black suits immediately walked over from the corridor. They stood on either side of the doors leading to the lobby, arms crossed.

"If you want to keep any dignity, stay where you are." His voice was low, edged with a severe warning. "Don't ruin my family's future."

The music in the hall stopped.

The host's voice carried through the microphone.

"Now, we invite the representative of the Vale family to the stage."

Serena lifted the hem of her dress and walked into the spotlight. The white rose diamond brooch on her chest flashed under the strong light. She smiled as she reached the signing table and extended her hand toward the gold pen on the velvet tray.

Bang.

The front doors of the banquet hall were pushed open.

Every conversation stopped at once.

The entire hall went silent.

My grandmother, Margaret Vale, stood in the doorway. She wore a tailored black suit and held a cane with a silver handle. Two lawyers carrying briefcases stood behind her.

At the head table, Mr. Blackwood's hand trembled just as he was about to lift his glass. The champagne flute slipped from his fingers and struck the marble floor, shattering into glass across the ground.

Margaret did not look at the broken glass.

She did not look at Adrian's pale face.

Her gaze moved through the crowd and stopped on Serena at the signing table.

"Who authorized an outsider to stand at the Vale family's signing table?"