Chapter 4 - The Public Gala and the Bitter Taste of Revenge
The illusion of peace shattered on a rainy Tuesday afternoon during the annual Moretti Enterprises charity gala at the Plaza Hotel.
The ballroom was blindingly bright, filled with New York’s elite socialites, corrupt politicians, and ruthless corporate rivals. Nora wore a breathtaking emerald-green silk gown that hugged her newly confident figure, standing beside Luca as flashbulbs popped continuously around them. Leo was safely upstairs with Mrs. Gable, but the tension in the room was palpable.
Suddenly, out from the crowd stepped Richard Vance—Nora’s disgraced ex-husband. He was flanked by his new, heavily plastic-surgery-enhanced trophy wife, holding a glass of champagne with a smug, condescending smirk plastered across his face.
Richard spotted Nora and marched right up to them, completely ignoring Luca Moretti's terrifying presence.
"Well, well, well," Richard sneered loudly enough for the surrounding reporters to hear. "Look at the charity case trying to play high society. I see you managed to trap New York’s most eligible billionaire, Nora. Too bad everyone knows your little marriage is a sham bought and paid for by Moretti's offshore funds. I hear he likes quiet pets who don't talk back."
Gasps rippled through the surrounding socialites. Flashbulbs redirected instantly toward them, eager for a massive scandal.
Nora felt her blood run cold, the trauma of her past betrayal threatening to paralyze her. But before she could open her mouth to speak, Luca stepped forward, placing a heavy, possessive hand on the small of her back.
"Mr. Vance," Luca’s voice cut through the ballroom like the edge of a razor, cold enough to freeze boiling water. "You are currently standing in a venue owned by my conglomerate, insulting my legally wedded wife. Security."
Two massive, black-suited enforcers materialized instantly out of the crowd, grabbing Richard by both arms.
"You can't do this!" Richard panicked, thrashing wildly as his champagne glass shattered on the marble floor. "She's a fraud! Her architectural firm is built on stolen property!"
"Actually," a smooth, confident voice interrupted as Marcus, Nora’s lead corporate attorney, stepped out of the shadows carrying a thick leather briefcase. "Miss Vance’s patents and independent design contracts were legally registered three weeks prior to your fraudulent divorce filings, Mr. Vance. Furthermore, federal indictments for corporate wire fraud and embezzlement were filed against your firm this morning by the Manhattan District Attorney's office."
Richard’s face turned the color of ash. He was hauled out of the ballroom kicking and screaming while the society crowd whispered behind their champagne flutes, completely shifting their tune toward respectful awe.
Nora stood trembling slightly, staring after him. All the fear she had carried for months finally dissolved, replaced by a sudden, burning strength.
Luca turned her gently to face him, his silver eyes burning with fierce intensity. "Are you alright?"
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"I am," Nora whispered, a genuine, radiant smile breaking across her face. "For the first time in my life... I really am."
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