Chapter 7 THE GALA THAT MADE THE DEVIL BLEED

The Voss Gala was the event of the year.

Held in a centuries-old glass museum suspended over the Hudson River, every inch of the venue screamed opulence - from the silver orchids dripping from the ceiling to the custom wine bottles etched with Elena's crest.

But no one cared about the décor.

Everyone was here for one reason.

To see Elena Voss.

And she did not disappoint.

When she entered, the room stilled.

A custom crimson gown, slit to the thigh. Diamonds at her throat. Her hair swept back like a queen at war.

She didn't walk in.

She arrived.

The Snake Slithers In

Dante Vale arrived fashionably late - as always - dressed in all black, a smile carved into his face like he'd already won.

He kissed a few hands. Whispered a few threats.

Then spotted her.

Elena.

Alone.

She sipped champagne like it was blood.

"You're bolder than I expected," he said as he approached. "Inviting the man who could destroy you."

She smiled over the rim of her glass.

"Funny. I thought I invited the man I already beat."

The guests leaned in subtly. Sensing fire.

Dante leaned closer.

"I know things about your past, Elena. Things you don't want aired."

Her gaze turned to steel.

"Then air them."

He blinked.

"Excuse me?"

"Go ahead. Tell the world. Tell them how you laundered money through my first company. How you forged my signature. How you nearly had me imprisoned before I was even twenty-four."

The room fell dead silent.

Elena raised her hand.

From across the hall, Liam stepped forward - carrying a tablet playing surveillance footage. Years-old, recovered and enhanced.

Dante's face. The deals. The dates. The digital trail.

The confession he thought was buried.

"Tonight's livestreamed," Elena said softly. "You're already trending."

Adrian's Realization

Watching from the far side of the room, Adrian felt his chest tighten.

He thought he had power once. Influence.

But Elena?

She had rebuilt herself from the ground up - and turned the ruins into a weapon.

And for the first time since she came back, he didn't see her as the woman he loved.

He saw her for what she truly was.

Untouchable.

The Final Strike

Dante's face twisted into fury.

He reached for her arm - but before he could touch her, two security guards materialized.

Liam raised an eyebrow.

"Touch her again, and you'll lose the hand."

Dante was escorted out.

Screaming. Exposed. Broken.

The crowd didn't cheer - but they didn't look away either.

They watched as Elena Voss didn't just win.

She ended him.

Closing Scene – The Woman in the Mirror

Hours later, Elena stood in front of the mirror in her penthouse, wiping the final trace of red lipstick from her lips.

Behind her, Nora spoke softly.

"He'll never recover."

Elena nodded.

But her reflection didn't smile.

"That wasn't revenge," she whispered. "That was justice."

She stared into her own eyes.

And knew - the real battle was still ahead.

Because what's worse than enemies coming for your empire?

An old love... begging for a second chance.