Chapter 15 - Shattered Engagement
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The spotlight hit the podium, turning the silver silk of my gown and the emerald at my throat into blinding points of light. Below us, dozens of news cameras livestreaming the charity gala to millions of viewers zoomed in on Sophie, who waved shyly at the sea of tuxedos and evening gowns from the safety of her father’s arms.
"Good evening," Damon’s deep voice resonated through the ballroom’s sound system, commanding absolute silence. "Normally, I use this night to announce our foundation’s annual endowments. Tonight, however, I am correcting a four-year mistake and cutting a cancer out of the Vance Corporation."
Near the front tables, Senator Arthur Kensington stepped forward, his jaw working furiously as he gestured for the sound technicians to cut the microphone—only to find Damon’s personal security detail blocking the audio booth.
"For the past six months, the press has speculated about an upcoming merger and marriage between my family and the Kensington family," Damon continued, his gaze locking coldly onto Camille and her father. "As of midnight last night, every commercial contract, shipping lease, and personal association between Vance Enterprises and Senator Arthur Kensington has been permanently terminated."
A collective gasp swept across the Grand Ballroom. Reporters scrambled for their phones, typing furiously as camera shutters clicked in a deafening frenzy.
"Damon, stop this madness right now!" Camille shrieked from the front row, her composure cracking completely in front of Manhattan’s elite. "You’re throwing away everything for a former maid who hid your child for money!"
Damon didn't even flinch. He shifted the microphone slightly and reached out, taking my hand and bringing it to his lips before kissing my knuckles in front of five hundred witnesses.
"Four years ago, the woman standing beside me saved my life at the cost of her own future," Damon said, his voice thick with unashamed devotion as he looked down at me. "She worked in silence to raise and protect our daughter while vultures circled my family. Ladies and gentlemen, allow me to introduce Elena—the only woman I have ever loved—and our daughter, Sophie Vance, the sole heiress to every penny and asset of the Vance empire."
Evelyn Vance stood up from the front VIP table and began applauding first. Within seconds, half the ballroom joined in, eager to stay on the good side of Manhattan’s most powerful billionaire.
Humiliated beyond repair, Camille bolted toward the side exit in tears, while Senator Kensington stared up at the stage with pure, unadulterated murder in his eyes. Before turning to follow his daughter, the Senator mouthed three silent words directly at me: You are dead.
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A cold shiver traced down my spine despite the warmth of Damon’s hand holding mine. As we stepped off the stage to a whirlwind of congratulations, I pulled Damon’s head down toward mine.
"Damon," I whispered urgently against his ear. "The voice on your father’s answering machine four years ago—the night before the Queensboro bridge bombing. I remembered where I heard it. It was Kensington."
