Chapter 23 Silk And Snakes

• The ballroom shimmered with power.
• Crystal chandeliers hung from vaulted ceilings, casting golden light across tailored tuxedos and sequinned gowns. Laughter danced between champagne flutes. The scent of cigars and cologne lingered in the air, masking the corruption stitched into every handshake.
• Valentina stood at the balcony’s edge in a black satin dress, her hair pinned in elegant waves. To anyone watching, she looked like just another wealthy daughter of the elite.