Chapter 2 - THE SHEDDING OF SILENCE
Champagne poured like liquid gold over shattered crystal, drenching the white floral arrangements sprawled across the ruined banquet table.
The 58-year-old matriarch lay half-sprawled among broken stemware, her silver hair disheveled and her burgundy velvet dress stained dark with spilled wine.
A suffocating silence paralyzed the luxury ballroom as hundreds of guests froze with their smartphones still raised, cameras flashing like erratic strobe lights.
The framed American flag mounted high on the polished oak wall seemed to loom over the chaos, a stark symbol of power hanging above a empire crumbling in real time.
Ethan stepped forward, his navy blue double-breasted tuxedo sharp against the wreckage, his arm instinctively wrapping around the young woman's waist.
"Are you alright, Clara?" Ethan asked in a urgent, steady whisper, his dark eyes scanning the red scratch marks line her cheek.
Clara did not answer immediately; she simply stood her ground, her emerald green silk gown gleaming under the crystal chandeliers.
She smoothed the sleek bun at the nape of her neck with chilling composure, her diamond drop earrings catching the harsh light.
On the floor, the matriarch coughed, her manicured hands clawing at the soaked tablecloth as she tried to force herself upright.
"You... you treacherous little viper!" Eleanor choked out, her voice raspy with unbridled fury as her diamond necklace glistened.
"I took you out of the gutter, Clara! I gave you my family's name!" Eleanor shrieked, her pale face contorted in shock.
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Clara tilted her head slightly, her gaze cold, detached, and utterly merciless as she looked down at the fallen titan.
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