Chapter 1
The grand dining hall of the Carter family estate was bathed in a brilliant, cinematic light. There was not a single trace of warm, yellow tint in the room; the illumination was crisp, natural, and flawlessly bright, highlighting the pristine white walls and the glittering crystal chandeliers overhead. The expansive room was decorated to absolute perfection in honor of David Carter’s seventieth birthday. David sat at the head of the massive, custom-built dining table, dressed in a sharp, formal suit. His fair, rosy complexion flushed with the warmth of expensive bourbon and the arrogant satisfaction of a patriarch holding court over his gathered elite guests.
At twenty-eight years old, Emily Carter possessed a breathtaking beauty that commanded the room. She was beautiful in an elegant, strong way, resembling a classic movie star with her fair, flawless skin and piercing eyes. She stood quietly near the edge of the dining area, keeping a protective watch over her two young daughters. Four-year-old Olivia wore a beautiful floral party dress and polished flats, holding her younger sister's hand. Three-year-old Megan, wearing a matching floral dress and tiny shoes, was looking eagerly at the massive spread of catered food.
"Mommy, can we have some of the shrimp?" Olivia asked, her crisp American accent barely a whisper as she pointed toward the center of the room.
"Just wait a moment, sweetheart," Emily replied softly, her voice carrying a soothing, melodic tone. "Let your grandmother finish preparing the main platters."
Jessica Carter, at sixty-three years old, was the picture of aging, bitter aristocracy. She wore an elegant, tailored blouse, a designer cardigan draped over her shoulders, heavy diamond jewelry, and sharp heels. Her fair skin was heavily powdered, but it could not mask the vicious, resentful sneer that permanently rested on her lips. She despised Emily. She despised the fact that her son’s wife held the true financial power, and she took every opportunity to exact petty, cruel revenge.
Jessica held a massive, heavy silver platter piled high with jumbo shrimp and a rich, oily broth. She noticed the two little girls looking at the food. A dark, malicious glint flashed in Jessica’s eyes.
"Oh, are the little princesses hungry?" Jessica asked loudly, drawing the attention of the surrounding guests.
Before Emily could step forward, Jessica marched directly toward the children. With a sudden, violent, and entirely deliberate motion, Jessica snatched a smaller plate of shrimp from the table and hurled the cold, greasy leftover food directly at the little girls.
A wave of cold, oily broth splashed violently onto Megan’s pristine floral dress. The heavy shrimp bounced off the little girl's chest, leaving ugly, dark stains across the delicate fabric. The sudden shock and the cold liquid hitting her fair, rosy skin caused Megan to let out a piercing, terrified scream. She immediately burst into tears, throwing her tiny arms around Emily’s legs and clinging tightly to her mother.
The entire dining room went dead silent.
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Jessica stood over them, her diamond jewelry catching the bright light as she threw her head back.
"Oh, how clumsy of me," Jessica said, laughing loudly. Her American accent dripped with a sneering, sarcastic venom that made it entirely clear it was no accident. "My hand just slipped."
