The grand ballroom of the city's premier venue was a masterpiece of luxury, entirely transformed by Iris & Co. into a shimmering, sophisticated winter landscape.
Crystal accents, velvet draperies, and thousands of soft, white lights created an atmosphere of quiet, expensive elegance.
Tonight was the final, most public demonstration of the "stable family foundation" required by Alex's father.
I was dazzling in my custom midnight-blue gown, Alex's hand a heavy, constant presence at the small of my back as we made our entrance. The crowd…the elite of the financial world…was immense, and every eye was on us.
Alex's father was the first to greet us. He was a man whose approval was colder and more exacting than any criticism.
He offered a curt nod of acknowledgment, his gaze sweeping over my dress, then resting on the placement of Alex's hand. He was measuring the performance, and so far, we were passing.
