Chapter 147: Chapter 149: The Charity Event
Two Weeks Later
The Metropolitan Museum’s annual charity gala was one of the most prestigious events of the season. Five hundred guests, black-tie mandatory, tickets starting at ten thousand dollars per person.
Aria had attended charity events with Damien before, but this was different. This was the first major event since Richard’s public approval. The first time she’d be introduced not just as Damien’s girlfriend, but as Chief Innovation Officer of Blackwood Enterprises.....a position Damien had offered her last week.
She wore a custom emerald green gown that had cost more than her mother’s annual salary, her hair styled in an elegant updo, jewelry borrowed from Damien’s family collection....a stunning diamond necklace that had belonged to his grandmother.
"You look incredible," Damien said as they stepped out of the car, his hand possessive at the small of her back.
"I feel like I’m wearing the GDP of a small country."
He laughed. "That necklace is insured for two million dollars. So yes, approximately."
"Why did I need to know that? Now I’m terrified I’ll lose it."
"You won’t lose it. And if you did, it’s insured. Though my grandfather would probably haunt us both." He leaned down to murmur in her ear, "Just remember....you’re the most valuable thing I’m bringing tonight. Everything else is just decoration."
Inside, the museum had been transformed into a glittering wonderland. Ice sculptures, flower arrangements that cost more than cars, champagne flowing like water. New York’s elite in their finest, air-kissing and networking and pretending they cared about whatever cause this gala was supporting.
"Mr. Blackwood!" A curator approached with obvious delight. "So wonderful to see you. And this must be Miss Chen. We’ve heard so much about you."
"All good things, I hope," Aria said with practiced ease. She’d gotten better at this over the past two weeks. The small talk and social navigation
"Absolutely! Your position at Blackwood Enterprises has been the talk of the industry. Chief Innovation Officer at twenty-four.....that’s quite an achievement."
"I’m fortunate to work with such a forward-thinking company."
They circulated through the crowd, Damien introducing her to board members, investors, business associates. She felt the eyes on her—assessing, judging, measuring her worth.
But she also felt Damien’s pride. The way he introduced her, spoke about her work, made it clear she was there on merit, not just as his date.
"Aria!" A familiar voice made her turn. Lucy, her friend from when she’d been a maid at the estate, was working the coat check.
"Lucy!" Aria embraced her warmly. "I didn’t know you’d be here."
"They hire extra staff for these events. Good money." Lucy’s eyes widened as she took in Aria’s gown, her jewelry, her entire transformation. "Look at you. You’re like Cinderella at the ball."
"More like Cinderella who went to MIT and got an MBA," Aria laughed.
They chatted for a few minutes before Damien reclaimed her, leading her toward the main ballroom.
That’s when Aria saw Victoria.
She was wearing red.....of course.....a gown that screamed expensive and desperate for attention. But what made Aria’s stomach clench was the calculating look in Victoria’s eyes as they landed on her.
"Aria! Damien!" Victoria approached with a smile that didn’t reach her eyes. "How wonderful to see you both. Aria, that necklace is stunning. Is it new?"
"It belonged to Damien’s grandmother," Aria said carefully.
"How generous of him to let you wear family heirlooms. Though I suppose now that you’re living together, what’s his is yours, right?" The words were sweet, the implication poisonous.
"Is there something you wanted, Victoria?" Damien’s voice was ice.
"Just to chat! It’s a social event, after all. Though I should probably powder my nose before dinner. Aria, would you like to join me? Girl talk?"
Every instinct screamed trap, but refusing would look petty.
"Of course," Aria said.
Damien’s hand tightened on her waist. "I’ll be right here when you get back."
The ladies’ room was elegant.....marble counters, plush seating area, expensive hand soap. Victoria was already inside, touching up her lipstick.
"So," Victoria said as Aria entered. "Chief Innovation Officer. That’s quite a promotion for a personal assistant."
"I earned it."
"I’m sure you did. On your back, probably."
Aria’s temper flared. "Say what you actually want to say, Victoria. I’m tired of the passive-aggressive bullshit."
"Fine. I want you gone. Out of Damien’s life, out of his company, out of our world. You don’t belong here, and everyone knows it."
"Richard Blackwood doesn’t seem to think so."
"Richard is an old man who’s gone soft. But the rest of the board? The investors? They have concerns about Damien’s judgment. About whether he’s thinking with his dick instead of his brain."
"And you’re going to exploit those concerns? How original."
"I’m going to do whatever it takes to get what I want. And what I want is Damien. Always have. Always will."
"Then you’re going to be disappointed. Because he’s mine. And no amount of scheming will change that."
Victoria’s smile turned cruel. "We’ll see about that."
She left the restroom, and Aria took a moment to compose herself. Washed her hands, fixed her hair, took a deep breath.
That’s when she noticed the woman in the far stall. Hadn’t realized anyone else was there.
The woman emerged....young, beautiful, wearing a diamond necklace that probably cost as much as Damien’s grandmother’s piece.
"Sorry," the woman said, seeming flustered. "I didn’t mean to eavesdrop."
"It’s fine. Just some social drama."
The woman moved toward the sinks, and as she passed Aria, she stumbled slightly, bumping into her.
"Oh! I’m so sorry!" She steadied herself on the counter.
"No problem. Are you okay?"
"Yes, fine. These heels are killer." She smiled, washed her hands quickly, and left.
Aria finished in the restroom and returned to the ballroom, where Damien was waiting exactly where he’d promised.
"Everything okay?" he asked.
"Victoria being Victoria. Nothing I can’t handle."
They made their way toward their assigned table when a commotion started near the entrance.
"My necklace!" The woman from the bathroom....the one who’d bumped into Aria....was in tears. "My necklace is missing! It was worth three hundred thousand dollars!"
Security immediately materialized. The event coordinator rushed over. Suddenly everyone was looking, searching, trying to help.
"When did you last have it?" someone asked.
"I had it in the bathroom! I took it off to fix my hair and.....and then it was gone!"
Aria felt a cold dread settle in her stomach.
And then Victoria’s voice, sweet as poison: "Aria was in the bathroom just now. Maybe she saw something? Or maybe...." she paused delicately, "....maybe she picked it up by mistake?"
Every eye in the room turned to Aria.
"I didn’t take anything," Aria said firmly.
"Of course not," Victoria said. "But maybe just to be safe, you could check your purse? Just to make sure it didn’t accidentally fall in?"
"I didn’t take anything."
"Then you won’t mind checking," Victoria said. "Right, Aria?"
Aria opened her clutch. And her blood ran cold.
Because there, nestled among her phone and lipstick, was a diamond necklace worth three hundred thousand dollars.
