Chapter 11: The Gala, Part One

Alessia walked into the Harlan Hotel ballroom in the gold gown with her head up.

Three hundred people turned to look at her, and conversation near the door stopped.

Two of Dario's men followed us in at a polite distance.

Dario himself waited in the lobby, with orders not to come in until I texted him.

My seats had been moved to the last row.

I walked to the first row and sat down in the one the program had reserved for Sasha's guest.

Jared stood at the front of the room in a black tuxedo, talking with a man with a silver mustache.

The old man leaned on a cane and wore a dark suit that had cost more than the cane.

He looked across the ballroom at me and nodded, politely.

I did not nod back.

Sasha sat three seats from Jared in a silver dress, with her hands folded in her lap.

She saw Alessia in the gown and her face went blank.

Then it filled with the small hurt expression again.

At eight, Jared went to the lectern and tapped the microphone.

"Good evening, everyone. As the new Chief Executive of Cardwell Group, I welcome you to the Founders Gala."

A few people applauded politely.

Most of them looked at me.

"My mother has stepped back from the company for family reasons," Jared said.

"It's been a difficult month for all of us, and I thank you for your discretion."

"Thank you, Jared," I said, not loudly.

He did not look at the first row.

"I also want to thank Mr. Gallo, of Gallo Maritime, our lead sponsor and our partner in what comes next."

The old man raised two fingers from the head of his cane.

Then a woman from the foundation introduced the winning presentation, and Sasha walked to the stage.

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