The grand ballroom was packed with politicians, judges, and billionaires, all drinking champagne under crystal chandeliers. Heavy gold drapes hung from the tall windows, and a massive American flag was displayed proudly on the back wall of the luxury hall.
Tiffany stood near the middle of the room, smoothing down her burgundy red gown. Her diamond necklace caught the light every time she turned her head.
Tiffany: Look at this place, Julian. By next week, this entire mansion belongs to me.
Julian: Keep your voice down, Tiffany. My half-sister still holds the master trust fund.
Tiffany: Your sister has been hiding in Europe for three years. She doesn't care about this family business.
Julian: She owns sixty percent of the voting stock. If she shows up tonight, our engagement party is over.
Tiffany: She won't show up. And even if she does, I run this room now.
Tiffany laughed, raising her champagne glass to a group of local city council members standing nearby. She loved the feeling of power. For months, she had been pushing Julian to speed up their wedding so she could claim her seat on the corporate board of Sterling Enterprises.
A few feet away, a woman stood near the marble pillars. She wore a tailored black tuxedo suit with a small American flag patch pinned over her chest. Her dark hair was pulled back neatly, and she wore clean white leather gloves on her hands. She held a black leather folder, quietly watching the crowd.
Tiffany turned around and bumped her elbow against her champagne glass, sending dark red liquid spilling onto her designer shoes.
Tiffany: Hey! Watch where you are standing!
Victoria: I am standing three feet away from you, ma'am.
Tiffany: You backed into me! Look at my shoes! Do you have any idea how much these cost?
Victoria: You stepped backward without looking.
Tiffany: How dare you talk back to me? Who hired you to work security at my event?
Victoria didn't answer. She simply stood her ground, her face completely calm under the bright lights of the grand hall, while Tiffany's eyes burned with sudden rage. The crowd began to turn, sensing a storm about to break.