The chandeliers of the Imperial Hotel glimmered above the crowd, golden light spilling across marble floors polished to perfection. Every senator, tycoon, and socialite worth knowing was in attendance, all dressed in their finest. The gala wasn’t just a charity—it was a battlefield of influence.
When Selena Alcaraz entered arm-in-arm with Alessandro “Sandro” Madrigal, the entire room shifted. Heads turned, whispers followed like shadows.
“Alcaraz with Madrigal?” isang congressman whispered, his tone laced with disbelief.
“Hindi ba’t mortal na magkaaway ang Madrigal at Vergara?” another replied, sipping champagne with shaking hands.
“Kung totoo man ‘yan, malaking gulo ‘to. Power shift,” a businessman muttered.
Selena kept her poise, smiling politely as if the whispers didn’t matter, pe
