Act I: The Feast of Arrogance
Chapter 1: The Table in the Center
The dining room at Le Ritz-Carlton was a showcase of opulence. Crystal chandeliers bathed the velvet-lined booths in soft golden light, while polished brass fixtures and towering arrangements of fresh orchids created an atmosphere of exclusive luxury. High-society elites, corporate executives, and socialites filled the room, their quiet murmurs accompanied by the gentle clinking of fine china and silver.
At the premier central table sat the Sterling family.
At the head of the table sat Victoria Sterling. In her late sixties, dressed in an emerald green silk blouse adorned with an intricate diamond and pearl brooch, she radiated unyielding superiority. Her silver hair was styled into an immaculate bun, and her cold eyes scanned the room with the casual arrogance of someone who believed she owned every inch of the city.
Sitting to her left was her daughter-in-law, Clara.
Clara wore a modest beige blouse and a simple pearl necklace. Her tear-stained cheeks glistened beneath the