Chapter 4 - The Thursday Night Fundraiser
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The fall happened on a Thursday evening, during one of Cordelia’s extravagant family fundraisers at the Voss mansion. It was late spring, the air thick and warm enough for the heavy French doors leading out to the stone balcony to stand wide open.
The house was packed with local politicians, socialites, and business magnates. A string quartet played in the corner of the grand ballroom. Adrian had been drinking heavily since the afternoon. His face was flushed, and he avoided my gaze, pacing nervously around the edges of the room.
Cordelia, on the other hand, was electric. She wore a stunning black gown, pearls at her throat, and she was smiling entirely too much. Every time I caught her eye from across the room, her smile widened, not reaching her cold, assessing eyes.
I felt a knot of pure dread forming in my stomach. I had spoken to Jonah earlier that day. He had confirmed the offshore transfers to a sketchy contractor named Nolan Reeve. I knew I needed to leave the house, but I didn't want to cause a scene that would tip them off before the authorities were involved.
Around ten o'clock, the crowd began to thin. The air in the ballroom felt suffocating.
“Lillian, darling,” Cordelia said, suddenly materializing beside me. Her hand closed tightly around my elbow. Her nails dug slightly into my skin through the fabric of my dress. “You look terribly flushed. Why don't you step onto the balcony for some air?”
I hesitated. I looked around for Adrian.
He was standing a few feet away, holding a half-empty scotch glass. He wouldn't meet my eyes. He just nodded toward the open doors.
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“Go ahead, Lily,” Adrian muttered, his voice strained. “I’ll come out in a minute.”
Reluctantly, I allowed Cordelia to guide me toward the terrace. I stepped out into the cool night air, the heavy doors closing softly behind me, leaving me alone in the dark.
