The polished marble floor of the grand Dallas event center sparkled brightly under the giant crystal chandeliers. Soft violin music played throughout the high hall as wealthy businessmen in dark tuxedos and socialites in colorful silk gowns held glasses of expensive champagne. Everyone was laughing, networking, and enjoying the warm atmosphere of the city's biggest annual charity gala. Massive framed oil paintings adorned the tall white walls, showing off the history of Texas business leaders who had shaped the local skyline over the past century. At the far end of the room hung an enormous American flag, framed in real gold leaf, serving as the backdrop for tonight's big speeches.
Clara Vance walked quietly into the building through the rear executive entrance. She was not dressed in a flashy ballgown like the other female guests present. Instead, she wore a simple, perfectly fitted black suit tailored from Italian fabric that felt smooth against her skin. Her copper-red hair was pulled back into a neat, professional bun, and her sharp eyes swept over the decorated ballroom with calm confidence. She had spent the last seven years working fifteen hours a day in New York, building an investment powerhouse that quietly bought up struggling real estate firms across the southern states.
As Clara made her way toward the main floor to find a glass of water, she noticed a group of women standing near the grand archway. At the center of the circle was Victoria Pendelton. Victoria was twenty-six years old, wore a five-thousand-dollar designer dress covered in sparkles, and held a glass of pink wine in her heavily jeweled hand. Victoria was known all over Dallas for her short temper, her reckless spending, and her deep hatred for anyone she felt was beneath her social status. Her family had run the Pendelton Group for twenty years, and Victoria treated the entire city like her personal playground.
Victoria: Look at what just walked through the side door, ladies.
Victoria pointed her long fingernail directly at Clara, her bright blue eyes narrowing with instant disgust.
Victoria: I did not know we were letting staff use the main guest hallway tonight.
Clara stopped in her tracks, looking at Victoria with a calm, unbothered expression on her face.
Clara: I am not staff, Miss Pendelton. I am here for the evening event.
Victoria: You expect me to believe that simple dress outfit cost more than my dog's collar?
Victoria stepped forward, her expensive high heels clicking loudly against the polished floor as the crowd around them fell quiet. Several wealthy donors turned their heads to watch the scene unfold. Victoria loved having an audience whenever she decided to pick a fight with someone she deemed lesser than herself.
Victoria: You look like a catering helper who got lost on her way to the kitchen doors.
Clara: I suggest you adjust your attitude and walk away while you still have the chance.
Victoria: Excuse me? Do you have any idea who I am, you little nobody?
Clara: I know exactly who you are, Victoria. And that is why I am giving you one warning.
Victoria's face twisted with pure rage as she tossed her wine glass to a nearby server without looking. She stepped directly into Clara's personal space, her heavy perfume filling the air between them as she glared down at Clara's modest demeanor.
Victoria: You do not give me warnings in my own building!