Chapter 6 - Desperate Moves
The sun dipped below the horizon, casting long, ominous shadows across the grand steps of the Metropolitan Opera House.
Searchlights swept across the twilight sky, illuminating the red carpet lined with velvet ropes.
Limousines and Rolls-Royces pulled up one after another, discharging the city’s wealthiest and most influential citizens.
Victoria Ashford stepped out of a black town car, wearing a breathtaking emerald gown dripping with diamonds.
She held her chin high, flashing a dazzling, practiced smile for the flashing cameras of the paparazzi.
Beside her, Richard Ashford looked like a condemned man walking toward the electric chair.
His face was ashen, his hands were trembling, and he could barely maintain his footing.
“Smile, you fool,” Victoria hissed through her clenched, smiling teeth.
“Everyone is watching us.”
“They are watching two walking corpses,” Richard muttered back under his breath.
“We are dead, Victoria, and you are parading our corpse on a red carpet.”
“As long as the press believes our story, Bennett cannot touch our social standing,” Victoria insisted delusionally.
She had spent her entire existence believing that public perception was stronger than raw power.
Reporters immediately swarmed toward the couple, shoving microphones into Victoria's face.
“Mrs. Ashford! How are you holding up after the horrific assault at your son's wedding?” a reporter called out.
Victoria placed a delicate hand over her heart, putting on an Oscar-worthy performance of fragile victimhood.
“It was the most traumatic evening of my life,” Victoria whimpered, forcing a tear to appear in the corner of her eye.
“To be attacked by an unhinged employee, and to see an elderly woman behave with such malice... it broke my heart.”
“Have the police made an arrest yet?” another reporter asked eagerly.
“I am confident that justice will be served tonight,” Victoria declared with triumphant arrogance.
Meanwhile, two blocks away, a sleek motorcade of four identical black SUVs escorted a customized Mercedes Sprinter van.
Inside the van, Eleanor Bennett sat in her motorized wheelchair, looking stunning in a classic, regal royal-blue gown.
Beside her sat Maya Collins, who was barely recognizable.
Daniel’s private stylists had spent three hours transforming the humble waitress.
She wore an exquisite, understated silver evening gown that complemented her natural grace and poise.
Her hair was styled into an elegant updo, revealing the clean, proud lines of her neck and jaw.
Maya looked down at her hands, still feeling an overwhelming sense of unreality.
“I feel like Cinderella,” Maya whispered nervously.
Eleanor reached across and patted Maya's hand affectionately.
“Cinderella had to run away when the clock struck midnight, darling,” Eleanor said with a warm, mischievous smile.
“You, on the other hand, are walking into the ballroom to claim your rightful place.”
Daniel sat across from them, wearing a custom midnight-black tuxedo that made him look like a reigning monarch.
He checked his diamond-encrusted watch.
“The gala presentation begins in precisely ten minutes,” Daniel said calmly.
“Victoria has scheduled a special announcement on the main stage to accept a lifetime philanthropy award.”
“Are you ready to expose her, Mr. Bennett?” Maya asked, her pulse racing.
Daniel looked up, his dark eyes radiating supreme confidence and unyielding resolve.
“I am not just going to expose her, Maya,” Daniel said.
“I am going to show this entire city what happens when arrogant wealth preys upon the defenseless.”
The Sprinter van pulled up to the VIP entrance behind the Opera House.
Marcus Vance opened the door, saluting Daniel respectfully.
“The projection system inside the main auditorium has been secured, boss,” Marcus reported.
“Our technical team has overridden the local network.”
“Victoria’s tribute video has been replaced with the master file.”
Daniel stood up, offering his arm to Maya to help her step down from the vehicle.
Then he turned and gently wheeled his mother down the specialized ramp.
May you like
“Walk with your head held high, Maya,” Daniel instructed softly.
“Tonight, you are the conscience of this city.”
