Chapter 18 Shadows Over the Ballroom
Chapter 18 Shadows Over the Ballroom
Alisa slid the teacup she had taken into the second cubby of the display cabinet.
The moment Ricky saw something placed there, he knew–it meant another victim had fallen into her grasp.
The Greens had just become the second household completely under Alisa’s thumb.
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Leaning back in the chair, her left hand resting lightly under her chin, Alisa spoke with a calm detachment. “Today, Pamela told me Laurel and Martin have been having an affair for decades. Their little rendezvous spot is over at Cloudland Estate.”
Ricky’s brows shot up. “Wait! Martin Keller? He’s got to be pushing eighty by now.”
Well, that was… unexpectedly vigorous for his age.
“And what do you want me to do with this?” Ricky asked, testing the waters.
“Send Tad and Andy to get photographic evidence,” Alisa said, her tone as light as if she were ordering lunch. “I want undeniable proof of them together.”
“Got it. I’ll get right on it.”
“Hold on,” she added. “Next month the Greens are throwing Edwin’s coming–of–age party. You’ll handle the arrangements with them.”
“Yes, ma’am.” Ricky nodded respectfully and left.N
Alişa propped one leg on the desk, the chair swaying slightly as her eyes drifted to the wall–length wood cabinet opposite her.
She could already picture, within two years, how many trophies, records, and secrets it would hold.
By then, half of Qodon’s elite families would be under her control.
Since Alisa had spoken; Pamela had no reason to refuse her suggestion to host her son’s 18th birthday at the Skyrend Hotel.
When Ricky went to coordinate, everything went smoothly.
Pamela even came in person to oversee the arrangements.
The last time they’d met–at the teahouse–Alisa had cornered her. Pamela had stormed off straight to the Cantrells, where she and Nydia had a tense face–off that ended with neither side gaining the upper hand.
They had known each other for years and knew too well the skeletons in each other’s closets.
Now that Alisa held both of their weak spots in her hands, they had no choice but to bide their time.
And so, the day of Edwin’s birthday arrived.
The Greens hosted a lavish reception at the Skyrend, inviting nearly all of Qodon’s power players.
Tonight, even the Badmans had shown up.
On the second–floor balcony, Alisa stood in a light beige trench coat, her slim frame looking almost paper–thin under the -dim light.
Ricky, standing slightly behind her, spoke respectfully. “Ms. Alisa, Xander Badman’s here tonight–over there.”
Following Ricky’s gesture, she spotted Xander in the far corner of the first–floor lounge. He wore a tailored black suit, understated yet refined. His gaze was lowered, lashes shadowing eyes cold and unreadable.
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3:15 PM
Chapter 18 Shadows Over the Ballroom
Xander spoke little–almost never–because the grandeur of the evening had nothing to do with him.
He was a Badman, yes, but tonight he was a bystander. Just like Alisa was, watching from above.
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“Why the interest in him?” Ricky asked. “He’s just the Badmans‘ illegitimate son. At Ms. Cordelia’s wedding, he didn’t even make the guest list.”
Alisa’s lips curved faintly. “Because he’s like me.”
Ricky blinked. “Him? Compared to you? Impossible.”
“Enough,” she said, cutting him off.
People had no idea whose hand Xander was tied under now.
He was an eagle with clipped wings, grounded only because of his mother.
But one day, everyone would address him respectfully as Mr. Badman.
“Looks like it’s raining outside,” she said. “Make sure our guests have umbrellas. They should leave in style.”
“Yes, Ms. Alisa.”
Downstairs, the birthday celebration was still in full swing.
Pamela was busy greeting guests when she spotted someone she hadn’t expected–Sabrina.
In the original turn of events, Sabrina was meant to be here, part of her big reveal and hidden identity reveal moment.
She should have arrived with Pamela. But since that day in the teahouse, when Alisa had blocked her plans, Sabrina had been forced to pivot and latch onto the Storms.
Dustin–her destined match–was now in her corner,
Which meant, in time, their romance would bloom, and Dustin would lend her his strength.
From the balcony, Alisa’s expression remained cool as her gaze swept the scene below.
It didn’t take long before Pamela spotted Sabrina in the crowd, and she froze, puzzled as to why the woman was here at all.
Pamela was Alisa’s person now, firmly on the Roffes‘ side.
Sabrina had already wrecked Cordelia’s wedding in front of half the city, turning the Nelsons and the Roffes into sworn
enemies.
And the Skyrend was Alisa’s domain. If Alisa saw Sabrina here, she might very well assume Pamela had invited her.
If that happened–and Alisa decided to air the dirt she was holding–Pamela didn’t even want to imagine the consequences.
No, she couldn’t let Alisa think for a second that she and Sabrina were connected.
Moving quickly through the throng, Pamela stopped in front of her, her tone cool and edged with hostility. “What are you doing here? I don’t recall putting your name on the guest list.”
