I took a step forward into the light.

The spotlights shifted, their bright white beams sweeping across the ballroom before locking directly onto me.

The heat of the lamps warmed my bare shoulders.

I kept my chin high, my heels clicking softly against the polished oak steps as I walked up onto the stage.

Beside the podium, Mr. Han stepped back, his hands folded politely in front of his suit.

The master of ceremonies cleared his throat, his voice steady as he read from the gold-trimmed card in his hand.

“Ladies and gentlemen, please welcome the chairperson of the Arden Funding Syndicate and the sole owner of Lotus Bay Resort, Ms. Maya Arden.”

For a second, the room was entirely silent.

Then, a wave of whispers washed through the crowd, like dry leaves scraping across pavement.

I stood beside Mr. Han, looking down at the sea of faces in the ballroom.

My eyes found the table nearest the stage, where the Mercer family stood frozen.

Vivian Mercer’s fingers lost their grip on her crystal champagne flute.

The glass slipped, hitting the edge of the mahogany table before crashing onto the marble floor.