Chapter 1: The Shadow of the Banquet
The Grand Astoria ballroom was a symphony of opulence. Crystal chandeliers, heavy as a thousand facets, cast a shimmering, refracted light over a sea of tuxedos and silk gowns. The air was heavy with the scent of precious lilies and even more precious perfumes. It was the night of the “Great Merger” gala, a celebration commemorating the rescue of Titan Corp., a family-owned company steeped in history that had teetered on the brink of bankruptcy just months earlier.
Waiters in white gloves moved like silent shadows through the crowd, carrying silver trays full of vintage champagne. In the center of the room stood the Rossi family, bathed in the glow of a flashlight.
“To Vanessa!” my father, Marcus Rossi, roared, raising his glass. “The savior of Titan Corp!” The genius who secured a $500 million investment in Aurora Holdings and restored our heritage!
The room erupted in applause. On stage, my sister Vanessa was beaming. She wore a white silk dress that probably cost more than a mid-size sedan, and a diamond necklace adorned her neck, reflecting every light in the room. She held a bouquet of red roses, “Heroine of the Hour.”
“It’s nothing,” Vanessa said into the microphone, her voice a practiced mix of humility and triumph. “Just months of sleepless nights, countless negotiations, and refusing to let my father’s dreams die. I knew Aurora Holdings would see our value if I just pushed hard enough.”
I sat at a small, round table at the back of the room, hidden behind a large flower arrangement, conveniently close to the kitchen door. I was a shadow at the table. I wore a simple black dress, elegant but not overdone, and my hair was tied in a practical bun. My five-year-old son, Leo, was sitting on my lap. He was a quiet child, observant and gentle, and at the moment he was playing with a small toy car.
He drank the water slowly, staring at his sister. The lies were astonishing. Vanessa hadn’t negotiated a single night. She hadn’t even known the name of Aurora’s lead analyst until the day the contract arrived.
My mother, Elena, quickly approached our table, looking around to make sure no important guests were watching her as she spoke to me.
“Isabella, for God’s sake, shut that child up,” she hissed. “And why are you sitting so close to the aisle? Pull out your chair.” The CEO of Northern Bank would be arriving soon, and Marcus didn’t want him to see this “unemployed single mother” hanging around like a maid.
“Leo is completely quiet, Mom,” I said quietly, calmly.
“Vanessa is amazing,” Mom continued, ignoring me and gazing admiringly at the stage. “She’s the brains of this family. The real Rossi. Unlike you, Isabella, who only knows how to have children out of wedlock and profit from our charity. Please stay away from movies. Don’t embarrass us today.”
She didn’t wait for an answer. She turned and walked back toward the group of shareholders, laughing. “Yes, Vanessa is simply a visionary!” I heard.
I squeezed Leo’s hand under the table. He looked at me with wide, innocent brown eyes.
“Mom, I’m thirsty,” he whispered.
“I know, honey. I’ll get you some water,” I said.
As I stood up, I glanced at the gold seal on the program table. It was the seal of Aurora Holdings. I knew exactly who had signed that $500 million check at six in the morning three weeks ago. I knew whose signature appeared on every legal document Titan Corp. currently possesses.
This was my signature. Isabella Rossi, founder and CEO of Aurora Holdings.
Vanessa stepped off the stage, the crowd parting like the Red Sea before her. She approached the bar, her face flushed with the euphoria of stolen fame. She held a glass of red wine and scanned the room, searching for the next person to impress.
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