Chapter 7 - The Empress Arrives
The sound of four-inch diamond-encrusted Christian Louboutin heels clicking against the marble floor echoed like the steady rhythm of a firing squad.
Every single camera in the hall pivoted away from Dominic’s pathetic position on the floor toward the entrance.
Gasps of utter disbelief erupted across the ballroom.
I walked into the light.
The Sterling Midnight gown clung to my silhouette with royal perfection, the black diamonds glittering like cold stars against the velvet fabric.
My dark hair was swept into an intricate crown, secured by the Sterling Tiara—a piece of history valued at over eighty million dollars.
My posture was straight, commanding, and merciless.
Beside me walked Alistair, flanked by the lead partners of the top four corporate law firms in the world.
Dominic looked up from the floor, his jaw hanging completely loose.
“Cynthia…?” he whispered, his voice cracking into a high-pitched whimper.
“No… that’s impossible… you’re wearing rags…”
Beatrice dropped her champagne glass entirely.
The crystal shattered against the floor, splattering vintage wine across Vivienne’s gold dress.
“You… you were the orphan who washed my dishes!” Beatrice screamed, clutching her pearls in hysterical terror.
I ignored them completely.
I walked past the groveling Thorne family as if they were nothing more than discarded garbage on the pavement.
I approached my father.
Arthur looked at me, a flicker of profound pride warming his ancient eyes.
“Welcome home, Cynthia,” my father said softly.
I reached out and took Chloe into my arms.
The moment my daughter felt my embrace, her weeping subsided into quiet, safe hiccups.
She wrapped her small arms around my neck and buried her face against my throat.
“Mommy…” Chloe whispered.
“I told Grandpa.”
“I told him everything.”
“You did perfectly, my brave angel,” I whispered into her hair, kissing her bruised forehead.
I turned around to face the entire assembly of Manhattan’s elite.
The power in the room shifted entirely toward me.
Vivienne was trembling so violently she had to hold onto a banquet table to keep from collapsing.
“You…” Vivienne stammered, pointing a shaking finger at me.
“You played us! You tricked Dominic into marrying you!”
I looked at Vivienne with a smile so cold it could freeze fire.
“I didn't trick anyone, Vivienne.”
“I gave Dominic Thorne a real, honest chance at love and family.”
“I wanted to see if a man could love me without knowing I owned half the continent.”
“And in return for my humility, your family broke my daughter’s teeth and treated us like dogs.”
I turned my eyes to Dominic, who was still pinned to the floor by the security guard.
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“Your test is over, Dominic.”
“And you have failed with a catastrophic score.”
