Chapter 35 A Heart-Pounding Party
Elena quickly grabbed a small compact mirror from her purse with trembling hands, trying to settle her ragged breathing while Elijah leaned back in his seat with a relaxed expression—as if he hadn't just completely stolen every ounce of awareness from the woman beside him.
Outside the window, the flashing bursts of light from hundreds of journalists' cameras had already begun blinking in rapid succession, illuminating the expanse of the magnificent red carpet stretching out in front of Lincoln Center's lobby.
Although born into the lavish wealth of the Vance family, Elena had always chosen to keep her distance from the glittering high society of Manhattan. While her brothers, Leo and Daniel, busied themselves showing off their new cars and spending nights in exclusive clubs, Elena preferred to lock herself in her studio, engrossed in jewelry sketches and the hammering of metals, building her career from scratch without the crutch of her father's famous name.
It was rare for her to attend a formal event of this caliber. The flashing cameras of hundreds of international journalists outside the Rolls-Royce window suddenly felt incredibly intimidating.
Elena clutched her small clutch bag, her heart pounding at the thought that inside, she would be walking alone among people ready to judge her for her shattered marriage. A creeping sense of insecurity slowly seeped in, making her fingers go cold.
Elijah, whose sensitivity was as sharp as a surgeon's scalpel, instantly caught the change in the woman's aura beside him. He glanced at Elena's intertwining fingers. Without much talk, Elijah reached for her cold hand, interlaced their fingers, and gripped them tightly—a connection that channeled instant warmth and strength into Elena's body.
"Don't bow your head, Ángel," Elijah's baritone voice was very low, yet laden with a calming, absolute command. "You're wearing the best dress, jewelry you made yourself, and most importantly... you're with me."
Elijah put on his own dark silver mask, hiding his handsome face behind the mask's sharp contours, leaving only a pair of sapphire blue eyes that now stared at Elena with an intoxicating intensity.
"Always remember our agreement. Tonight, tomorrow, or whenever, I will always be your shield. Let those rich people show off their Bentleys or diamonds. In this hall, not one of them has the right to make you feel small," Elijah whispered right in front of Elena's face, now hidden behind a black satin mask. "Come on. Show them how a queen walks."
The Rolls-Royce door opened wide as Marcus greeted them respectfully. As soon as Elena's high-heeled feet touched the red carpet of Lincoln Center, a storm of camera flashes immediately struck their figures.
However, the insecurity that had once paralyzed her evaporated as Elijah's sturdy arm wrapped protectively around her waist, guiding her to walk with a natural arrogance amidst the world's spotlight.
Elena walked through the entrance of Lincoln Center's grand hall with her arm firmly linked through Elijah's elbow. Behind her black satin mask, her eyes swept across the room, glittering with giant crystal chandeliers, haute couture designer gowns, and the low hum of high-class gossip.
Only a few steps into the cocktail area, Elena immediately spotted a very familiar figure near a marble pillar.
It was Isabella Van Doren.
Although her face was hidden behind a standard VIP maroon velvet mask, Elena could recognize the dress designed by a Parisian designer that Isabella had shown off at the office yesterday. However, Isabella's usual arrogance seemed dimmed. She stood beside her father, appearing to be pleading in a low tone with an old oil tycoon, trying to pitch a business proposal with a forced smile.
"Look over there," Elijah whispered low, his lips nearly touching Elena's ear behind his dark silver mask. "That woman who was screaming curses at you in the office this morning, now has to beg for attention from an old man who doesn't even remember her name."
Elena was stunned. Seeing Isabella, who usually treated her like dirt, now having to humble herself for support, a mixture of satisfaction and dread crept into her chest. Power in New York could crumble in just hours.
Suddenly, Isabella turned around, feeling watched. Her sharp eyes behind the maroon mask locked onto Elena. Even though Elena wore a black mask, her elegant posture and her handmade onyx choker were too striking to miss.
Isabella left her father and quickly approached Elena, followed by Bianca, who had apparently been trailing behind her.
"Elena Vance?" Isabella hissed, her voice trembling between anger and a humiliation she tried to hide. "I didn't think you had the access to get into this Gala. Isn't your husband having fun in London?"
Isabella then shifted her scornful gaze to the tall man beside Elena. Because Elijah wore a dark silver mask and a very luxurious velvet tuxedo, Isabella couldn't recognize the 'street man' Brad had told her about at the night market.
"And who is this man?" Isabella sneered, trying to lift her shattered self-esteem. "Is this one of your new investors you rented with your body after Morgan dumped you? Be careful, sir. The woman before you is a jinx. Anyone close to her will see their stocks crash."
Elijah didn't respond with curses. He only tightened his hold on Elena's waist, taking a step forward until his towering shadow cornered Isabella. A dominating aura emanating from Elijah suddenly made the air around them feel frozen.
"Miss Van Doren," Elijah's baritone voice was very cold, filled with a contemptuous tone that made Isabella's hair stand on end. "If I were you, I wouldn't spend a single second left in this room barking at the wrong person. You'd better help your fiancé pack his things, because tomorrow morning, the Blackwood Group will take over every last worthless asset he has."
Isabella gasped, her face behind the mask turning pale. "H-how... how do you know about Blackwood—"
Before Isabella could finish her sentence, the lights in the main hall suddenly dimmed, leaving a single silvery spotlight aimed directly at the main stage podium.
The emcee's voice echoed through the massive speakers, "Good evening, honored guests. Let's give a warm round of applause for the opening speech from the Majority Shareholder and new CEO of Blackwood Industries!"
Elijah glanced at his luxury watch briefly, then whispered to Elena, "Wait for me at table number one in the front row, Ángel. My client suddenly called me backstage to handle something. Don't let these insects follow you."