Kassandra released Jett's arm. She lifted the heavy train of her silver gown and glided gracefully toward the microphone stand in the center of the room.

The overhead spotlight snapped onto her.

The light hit the massive, twenty-carat blue diamond resting against Kassandra's collarbone. The gem fractured the light, throwing blinding blue sparks across the walls.

A collective gasp echoed through the crowd.

Patty, a distant cousin from the Mckee side, purposely raised her voice over the quiet murmurs.

"My god, is that the finale piece from the Sotheby's Spring Auction?" Patty gasped loudly.

Gus, another relative, immediately chimed in. "Yes! Jett dropped three million dollars on it just to celebrate the new Mckee-Holder partnership."

The words hit Calista like a physical blow to the chest.

Her lungs seized. She instinctively pulled her arm back, trying to hide the bulk-ordered PR bag behind her green dress.

Kassandra leaned into the microphone. Her voice was dripping with sugar.

"I just want to say a massive thank you to my wonderful brother-in-law, Jett, for his incredible generosity tonight."

Jett stood near the stage. He had one hand in his pocket. A rare, soft smile touched the corners of his mouth as he watched Kassandra.

Kassandra clapped her hands together lightly. "And I have a second announcement. Holder Group has officially granted the development rights for the Lower Manhattan real estate project to the Mckee family!"

The ballroom erupted in applause.

Bo Mckee, Calista's biological father who had long ago forced her to use her mother's surname, Beck, to disown her publicly, stood near the front. His face was flushed red with pride as businessmen patted him on the back. His wife, Susan, who had always favored Kassandra, wiped a dramatic tear from her eye, beaming at the girl she treated like her own daughter.

Not a single person in the room looked at Calista.

Patty walked over to the champagne tower. She swirled the wine in her glass, her eyes locking onto Calista.

Patty let out a sharp, ugly laugh.

"Taking up space and giving nothing in return," Patty sneered. "Can't even drop an egg, can you?"

Gus stepped up right beside Patty. He looked Calista up and down with pure disgust.

"Even her own biological parents can't stand the sight of her," Gus mocked. "A nameless piece of trash. I don't know how she ever thought she was good enough for Jett."

The socialites nearby stopped talking. They turned their bodies toward the corner, watching the humiliation unfold with eager eyes.

Calista bit down hard on the inside of her cheek. The sharp pain grounded her. The metallic taste of blood flooded her tongue.

She straightened her spine. She stared directly into Patty's eyes.

"Watch your mouth," Calista said. Her voice was low and cold.

Patty gasped in exaggerated shock. She pressed a hand to her chest.

"Why should I respect a scheming bitch who crawled into his bed to get a ring?" Patty yelled.

The commotion was too loud to ignore.

On the stage, Kassandra looked over. A dark, satisfied gleam flashed in her eyes.

Jett frowned. His sharp gaze cut through the crowd and locked onto Calista trapped in the corner.

He set his crystal whiskey glass down on a passing waiter's tray. He started walking.

The crowd of billionaires and socialites immediately parted, clearing a wide path for the true king of New York.

Chapter 3

You might like