Chapter 107
[ 506 words ]
Chapter 107:
Sitting on the antique sofa was Marcy Vance, the wife of a powerful Maryland senator, and her young, beautiful daughter, Eleanor Vance.
Marcy saw Cornelia approaching and instantly jumped to her feet. A desperate, flattering smile stretched across her face. She leaned in and pressed her cheek against Cornelia’s in a fake, air-kiss greeting.
Eleanor stood up slowly. She looked incredibly nervous. She was wearing a conservative, expensive white lace dress, clearly styled to look pure and obedient.
Cornelia let her eyes drag up and down Eleanor’s body, then gave a slow, approving nod.
“You look absolutely breathtaking tonight, Eleanor,” Cornelia praised smoothly. “Like a true princess.”
Eleanor’s cheeks flushed bright red. “Thank you, Mrs. Romero,” she whispered. Her eyes immediately darted toward the grand entrance of the hall, desperately searching for a specific face.
Marcy leaned close to Cornelia, her fingers gripping her champagne flute so tightly her knuckles turned white.
“Cornelia, please,” Marcy whispered urgently. “When exactly is Colonel Romero arriving? We cannot have a repeat of last month’s disaster. My husband was furious when Jarrod refused to even show up to the introductory dinner.”
Cornelia’s fingers twitched against the stem of her own glass. A flash of pure, toxic irritation burned in her chest at Jarrod’s blatant disrespect. But she kept her smile perfectly locked in place.
𝘛𝗁e 𝗆𝗈ѕ𝗍 𝘱𝗼𝗉𝗎𝗅𝘢𝗿 𝗇𝘰𝗏𝘦l𝗌 о𝗇 gаlոо𝘷𝘦𝘭𝘴.c𝗼𝘮
“You know how the military is, Marcy,” Cornelia soothed, her voice dripping with honey. “This time, everything is under control. Jarrod is dealing with highly classified matters. But tonight is the General’s eightieth birthday. He would never dare miss it.”
Cornelia took a half-step closer and lowered her voice to a conspiratorial whisper.
“Just make sure Eleanor charms the General tonight,” Cornelia instructed. “Once the old man gives his blessing, the marriage is locked in stone. Augustus wants this alliance as much as we do.”
At the word “marriage,” Eleanor’s eyes lit up with a feverish intensity. She had spent years fantasizing about the ruthless, terrifyingly powerful Colonel Romero.
Marcy grabbed Cornelia’s free hand and squeezed it hard. “The moment they are engaged, Senator Vance will push the Romero defense budget straight through the Armed Services Committee. You have my absolute word.”
Cornelia’s smile finally reached her eyes. This was the ultimate goal. Trading Jarrod’s freedom for political power, while simultaneously keeping him distracted so her own son could secure the family inheritance.
Suddenly, the sharp, aggressive clicking of high heels echoed against the marble floor.
Harper Romero, Cornelia’s biological daughter, stomped into the alcove. Her face was twisted into an ugly, bored scowl.
“This party is a complete nightmare,” Harper complained loudly, completely ignoring the Vances. “Where the hell is Jarrod?”
Cornelia shot Harper a lethal, warning glare. “Mind your manners, Harper. Say hello to Mrs. Vance.”
Harper rolled her eyes. She turned her head and looked at Eleanor, her eyes narrowing with vicious, unfiltered jealousy.
“Nice dress,” Harper sneered, her voice dripping with venom. “Are you heading to a choir practice after this? You look like a nun.”
Eleanor gasped. Her face drained of color, and tears instantly welled up in her eyes. Marcy’s jaw dropped in absolute horror.
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