The day of the Old Patriarch's grand birthday celebration had finally arrived, and the entire city buzzed with excitement. The hall was illuminated like a palace, with elite dignitaries, business moguls, socialites, and politicians from across the country arriving in waves. Guests in glittering couture gowns and sharp tuxedos mingled across the marble-floored ballroom. The air brimmed with champagne, laughter, and veiled envy.
At the center of it all sat the Old Patriarch, regal in his wheelchair, his presence still commanding despite his frail state. The Old Madame stood loyally by his side, watching every guest with hawk-like precision.
The Fairchild children were all in attendance. Bruce and his glamorous wife Lucille arrived hand-in-hand, their son Chase trailing behind, suave and charming. Harry, looking dashing and dangerously handsome, stood nearby, exchanging pleasantries with the other heirs and moguls.
Sasha, resplendent in a crimson gown, stood near a lavish floral arch with Trisha. The two women laughed, sipping champagne and casting sharp eyes across the crowd.
She better not show her face tonight," Trisha muttered, swirling her glass.
Sasha smirked, eyes gleaming. "Your wish might just come true."
They laughed,
Back at the lake house, Ana sat before the vanity, her heart fluttering with nervous excitement. Her hair was elegantly pinned into a vintage updo, her makeup flawless and her skin glowing. She wore a shimmering gold gown that clung to her curves like liquid light. Nina gasped in delight, clasping her hands together.
"You look like a dream, Miss! Mr Harry won't know what hit him."
Ana laughed shyly. "It feels like a dream. I just hope I don't trip in these heels."
In the shadows of the Lake House hallway, a maid, secretly loyal to Sasha, filled a bucket with muddy water and placed it by Ana's door. She turned off the hallway light, her lips curled into a cruel smile as she tiptoed away.
A moment later, Ana opened the door, humming softly to herself. Her heel caught the bucket.
Crash!
She fell hard, her arms flailing as muddy water drenched her pristine dress. Her scream echoed.
"No! No, no, no!" she sobbed, sitting in the mess. Her perfect gown was ruined.
"Miss!" Nina rushed out, stopping dead at the sight of her, dress ruined, face streaked with tears and mud.
"I can't go anymore," Ana sobbed. "It's all ruined."
Meanwhile, back at the party, Harry moved through the ballroom with calculated charm, exchanging words with senators and CEOs. But his eyes kept drifting to the entrance.
"She's not here yet," he said under his breath.
He made his way to Kimberly.
"Where is she?" he asked quietly.
"She should've have left the Lake House thirty minutes ago," Kimberly assured him. "She should be here any moment."
But Harry's unease didn't wane.
Nearby, Leo chuckled as he handed Harry a glass. "Can't stand a minute without her, huh? You're whipped, brother."
Harry gave him a sharp look, but said nothing.
Just then Kimberly's assistant arrived and discreetly whispered something into her ear. Her face paled. Kimberly looked at Harry with a worried expression.
Sasha, watching something from on her phone, lifted her glass with a smirk. Trisha leaned in, confused.
"What is it?"
"Just watch," Sasha murmured. She handed her phone over to Trisha. The moment she saw the content on the phone, her eyes lit up.
Back at the Lake House, Ana sat on the bed, face in her hands, brooding over the incident. Nina paced, trying to find a solution. "I'm sure it's Madam Sasha and Miss Trisha's doing. They don't want you to attend the party. Such mean people " Nina was indignant.
Suddenly, the door opened.
"You're not missing this party," said a warm voice.
It was Soraya.
Behind her stood two more stylists with a brand new gown and makeup kit.
Both Ana and Nina looked at her with surprise and confusion.
What is she doing here?
"Kimberly asked me for a favor. We have twenty minutes. Let's go."
Ana stared in disbelief. "I don't know what to say."
"Say it after we get you there looking like a queen," Soraya grinned.
"Ana smiled happily "Thank you Miss Soraya ".
The orchestra began to play the waltz. Guests cleared the dance floor as Sasha stepped forward, expecting Harry to join her for the first dance.
But he didn't even bother to look at her.
The doors opened with a dramatic hush.
And there she stood.
Ana.
Glamorous. Radiant. Ethereal.
Her sapphire gown shimmered like moonlight on water. Her presence sucked the air from the room. Conversations stopped. Heads turned.
Harry's eyes widened. Kimberly let out a breath of relief.
Men stared in awe. Women's eyes narrowed with jealousy.
Chase blinked in surprise. "That's her?" he whispered.
Russell looked entranced.
Trisha's face twisted in envy. Whispers flooded the ballroom.
"Who is she?"
"She looks like royalty."
"I haven't seen her before."
Sasha's smile died on her lips.
Ana made her way to Kimberly, hugging her. "Thank you for sending Miss Soraya. I almost didn't make it."
"You look so divine, Ana. Soraya worked magic."
Kimberly turned to Soraya. "You saved the night."
"Glad to," she smiled.
As the music swelled again, Harry stepped forward.
"Dance with me," he said, ignoring Sasha.
Ana hesitated but took his hand. They moved to the center, and the moment they began dancing, the crowd buzzed louder.
They looked flawless together. Beautiful. Magnetic.
You're stealing the show," he whispered.
"I didn't mean to."
"You were born to."
They danced in perfect union.
From the head table, Old Madame watched in disapproval.
"Shameless," she muttered.
Old Madame's eyes narrowed in displeasure. She could turn a blind eye to Harry favoring the hired surrogate behind closed doors considering her as a plaything but publicly ignoring his wife to show her off to the world is completely unacceptable to her.
"Hmm, who's that child dancing with Harry" Old Master asked.
"The surrogate". Old madame muttered, her expression uncomfortable.
"Interesting ". He laughed. His shrewd eyes fixed on the dancing lovebirds.
"Reminds me of a distant memory ".
Sasha clenched her fists, her eyes red with envy and hate as she's forced to watch her husband holding another woman affectionately in a dance.
She stood abruptly to leave. A waiter passed too close and collided into her
Champagne spilled on her gown.
"Are you blind? You stupid girl!" she shrieked, shoving the waitress.
Gasps echoed. Her pristine image shattered before witnesses. She stormed off with Trisha chasing after her.
In the washroom, she gripped the sink, eyes wild. Her mask slipped completely. "I'm going to destroy that girl," she hissed.
"Calm down," Trisha said, locking the door. "We'll go to the second plan".