The next day, the grand banquet hall of Southside Noble Hotel was decked out in full splendor.
Gilded crystal chandeliers hung overhead, their light scattering like crushed diamonds.
The rose cascade on the wall had been flown in fresh from the Netherlands that very morning, the petals still beaded with droplets of water—luxury in its purest form.
The two most powerful families in Southaven were about to bind themselves by marriage. Every last person of standing in the city had shown up, all of them desperate to be seen at such an occasion.
Gwen stood in the center of the hall, dressed in a custom burgundy haute couture gown. The open-back design set off her skin like snow, radiating boundless pride.
"Ms. Lowell, congratulations!" A heavyset businessman pushed his way forward and hand
