Chapter 9 - The Red Carpet Stunner: Who Is That Standing Beside Salvatore Vance?
The entire plaza seemed to inhale at the exact same second.
The woman stepping out of the Rolls-Royce didn't scurry or look down.
She moved with an effortless, regal grace that commanded every single lens in the vicinity.
The gold silk caught the flashbulbs, making her appear as if she were bathed in liquid sunlight.
Her hourglass figure was celebrated in every seam of the masterpiece gown.
The 30-carat diamond at her throat flashed brilliantly.
Daphne took a step forward, holding her microphone, her mouth ready to speak the words: “Mr. Vance, over here!”
Then she looked at the woman’s face.
The hazel eyes.
The high cheekbones.
The chestnut hair.
Daphne froze.
The microphone dropped six inches in her hand.
“D-Delaney...?” Daphne whispered, the color draining from her face so fast she looked like a ghost.
Jared Abbott, who was standing just five feet behind the velvet rope, dropped his champagne glass.
The crystal shattered across the red carpet, champagne splashing over his designer shoes.
Delaney turned toward the press line.
She saw her twin sister.
She saw the utter shock, the jealousy, and the crumbling composure on Daphne’s face.
For ten years, Delaney had lived in Daphne’s shadow.
Now, under the blazing lights of the world’s most prestigious event, Daphne looked insignificant.
Delaney didn't yell.
She didn't throw a drink.
She simply met Daphne’s gaze, smiled a calm, devastating smile, and looped her arm tighter through Salvatore Vance’s arm.
Salvatore glanced down at Delaney with open pride, then looked directly at Daphne’s live camera crew.
The live feed was broadcasting to five million viewers on the gala’s global stream.
“Delaney,” Salvatore said, his voice easily picked up by the directional microphones. “Shall we head inside?”
“Of course, darling,” Delaney replied smoothly.
The press erupted.
“Delaney Waverly! Look here!”
“Mr. Vance! Are you two together?!”
“Delaney, who are you wearing?!”
Salvatore guided her past the frozen, humiliated Daphne without sparing the influencer a single glance.
As they walked past Jared Abbott, Salvatore paused for just a fraction of a second.
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He looked Jared up and down, his storm-gray eyes flashing with cold contempt.
“Enjoy the view, Abbott,” Salvatore said quietly. “It’s the last time you’ll ever be allowed inside this room.”
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