Chapter 3

At eight, I walked into the banquet exactly on time.

Gordon had liquidated nearly everything he had to pay for the evening.

He wanted a way into the Obsidian Crown Consortium, and he meant to sell me to Gloria Dane before the night was over.

The ballroom glittered with gold and crystal.

I came in expressionless, still wearing the black jacket with no visible label.

At the center of the room, Damian strutted around in a jeweled designer suit like he was hosting a fashion show.

Beside him stood an oily woman weighed down with thick gold bracelets.

This was Gloria Dane, the investor pushing sixty.

Gordon and my mother trailed her like eager servants, flattery all over their faces.

Damian's eyes lit up when he saw me.

He raised his voice on purpose so the whole room would hear.

"Leander, you finally made it.

"Ms. Dane's been waiting all evening."

Every face in the ballroom turned toward me.

When they saw my plain clothes, Foxbridge society started whispering with contempt.

Gordon came over with a dark expression.

He glared at me and dropped his voice into a furious growl.

"You look like you crawled out of a shelter. Go pour Ms. Dane a drink.

"If you can't please her, I'll scatter the old man's ashes before we leave this hotel."

My mother chimed in with a cutting smile.

"Three years in that filthy mining belt ruined you.

"You should be grateful anyone still wants you. Go smile and stop acting proud."

Gloria Dane waddled over, stomach leading the way.

Her cloudy eyes crawled over my body without any restraint.

She curled her lip in distaste.

"Gordon, this is the older son you brought back from a labor camp in Kembala?

"He reeks of poverty. And you expect me to take him to bed?"

Sweat broke out across Gordon's forehead, and he practically groveled.

"Please don't be angry, Ms. Dane. He's rough, but he cleans up well enough.

"As long as he satisfies you, discipline him however you like."

Damian came over with a glass of red wine and an exaggerated sway.

He held it out to me with pure malice in his eyes.

"Leander, did you hear her?

"Ms. Dane's interest is the best thing that'll ever happen to you.

"Kneel down and offer her the wine."

Gloria rubbed her shining chin and laughed suggestively.

"Damian's right.

"Kneel down, boy, and drink this.

"Keep me entertained tonight, and I'll wire ten million to the Blackwell company tomorrow.

"Refuse, and the company's insolvent by morning."

The guests around us laughed.

Everyone expected me to kneel and beg like a dog.

I looked at the three hideous faces in front of me.

Then I smiled.

I reached out and took the wineglass from Damian.

Gordon relaxed, sure I'd caved.

Damian's mouth curved into a triumphant smile.

Gloria pushed out her stomach proudly and waited for me to kneel.

The next second, I turned my wrist.

The red wine cut an arc through the air.

Splash.

Every drop of it hit Gloria Dane in her greasy old face.