Chapter 6 - The Debut at the GalaTwo months after the night on the third-floor corridor, the grand ballroom of the St. Regis Hotel in Manhattan was filled with five hundred prominent community leaders, supreme court justices, corporate titans, and international diplomats.
The event was the formal launch of The Claire Bennett Foundation for Women’s Safety & Legal Defense.
Standing near the grand marble staircase, wearing an immaculate black tuxedo, was Adrian Moretti. He stood tall, broad, six-foot-two, his severe, commanding face radiating an unshakeable, sovereign authority.
Beside him stood his chief security director, Sal, watching the crowd with proud, vigilant eyes.
"She's coming down, Boss," Sal whispered softly.
The grand string quartet tapered off into a soft, melodic prelude.
The heavy mahogany double doors at the top of the grand staircase swung open.
Stepping into the bright white spotlight was me.
I wore a breathtaking, floor-length ivory silk evening gown that celebrated every line of my recovered, radiant figure. My shoulder-length brown hair fell in soft, glossy waves, and my pale blue eyes shone with absolute, unshakeable victory, inner peace, and sovereign grace.
Down on my right hand rested a simple, magnificent ten-carat emerald signet ring—a personal gift from Adrian marking my true standing beside him.
A collective, appreciative gasp swept through the five hundred elite guests.
I walked down the grand marble staircase with grace and poise, my head held high, looking straight into the eyes of the man who had pulled me off a cold floor and given me an empire.
Adrian walked forward, meeting me at the foot of the stairs. He extended his hand, his storm-gray eyes burning with pure, unreserved pride and deep, enduring love.
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"You take my breath away, Claire," Adrian whispered softly into my ear, pressing a tender kiss against my hand.
"I learned from the best, Adrian," I smiled, wrapping my arm comfortably around his solid frame as the audience erupted into silver applause.
