Inside the opulent mansion, grand chandeliers sparkled like clusters of diamonds, casting a glittering glow over the expansive ballroom. Guests mingled, their laughter and chatter resonating in the air, oblivious to the brewing storm. Vanessa, now gracefully weaving through the crowd, wore a charming smile that could disarm the most skeptical observer. Her demeanor was picture-perfect — poised, gracious, and seemingly genuine.
Richard, having shed his gatekeeper disguise, discreetly entered through a side door, his heart weighed down by what he had witnessed. Clad in a tailored suit, he blended seamlessly among the elite, his mind replaying Vanessa’s cruelty outside. It was not the first time he had tested someone this way, but it was the most personal and heartbreaking.
