THE RIVAL HEIR

Victoria's Pov As I stepped into the grand hall, I felt heads turn in my direction.Maybe they weren't actually looking at me.Maybe my nerves were just getting the better of me.Either way, I suddenly became painfully aware of every step I took. My grip tightened around the champagne glass in my hand as I tried to keep my expression calm. I couldn't afford to look anxious tonight. Too much was riding on this evening, and the last thing I needed was for people to see just how close I was to falling apart.The hotel glittered beneath crystal chandeliers, their light reflecting off marble floors polished enough to mirror the guests moving around. Laughter floated through the room with the soft music, blending with the champagne glasses and the perfume of people who had never worried about paying a bill.For everyone else, it was another charity gala but for me, it felt like walking into a room full of spectators waiting to see whether I would survive the night.I accepted a glass of champagne from a passing waiter, more to give my hands something to do than because I wanted the drink."You have that look again."I turned to find Sofia beside me, wearing a navy gown that looked so stunning on her."What look?" I asked. "The one that says you're either about to charm someone..." She paused, studying me. "...or commit a crime."A small laugh escaped before I could stop it."I'm still deciding.”She linked her arm with mine."Please decide after the auction. I'd rather not explain to the police why my best friend set a ballroom on fire.""No promises."She smiled, relieved she'd managed to make me laugh at all."You look beautiful," she said quietly.I glanced toward the mirrored wall nearby.The woman staring back looked composed enough. My black satin dress fit perfectly, my makeup hid the sleepless nights, and my smile looked convincing from a distance.Only I knew how much effort it had taken to look this calm.Three months ago, Neuman Hotels had sold another property.Last week, our bank rejected yet another request for more time.Yesterday, two senior managers assured me they still believed I could save the company.I wished I shared their confidence."You disappeared again," Sofia said."Hmm?"Sofia: "You've been thinking." Victoria: "I've been worrying." I answered. Sofia: "Same thing?" She continued. Victoria: "Not even close."Before she could answer, someone called my name."Victoria.” I turned.Richard Beaumont made his way towards me, wearing the same polished smile reserved for investors and reporters. He was wealthy, influential and somehow always appeared wherever gossip was most likely to occur."My dear," he said warmly. "I'm sorry to hear about the Florence property."Of course he was.People loved expressing sympathy when they had front-row seats to someone else's downfall."Thank you," I replied politely. "I appreciate your concern."His smile widened, as though my calm reaction disappointed him."If there's anything I can do...""I'll remember that." I answered sharply. He nodded and wandered off to find someone else's business to discuss.Sofia watched him leave before leaning closer.Sofia: "You were nicer than I expected."Victoria: "I'm trying something new.”Sofia: "What?"Victoria: "Self-control.” She laughed.Sofia: "I'll let you know how long it lasts."Across the ballroom, conversations slowly faded as a large screen came to life.The Carter Group logo appeared in silver against a black background.Almost instantly, attention shifted toward the stage. Moments ago people had been discussing vacations, businesses, and other investments. Now every eye was fixed on the stage.Even the photographers repositioned themselves.Money had entered the room Or rather...Alex Carter had.He stepped onto the stage with the quiet confidence of someone completely comfortable standing in front of hundreds of people.With a dark suit and calm expression.Not a trace of nerves.I'd met him only a handful of times over the years, always across boardrooms or crowded events like this. We had never been friends, but neither had we been enemies in the dramatic way newspapers liked to suggest.He simply belonged to the family that had become my family's biggest competitor.His eyes briefly looked across the room.For the smallest moment, they met mine.Then he looked away as though nothing had happened.I wasn't sure why that bothered me."Good evening, everyone."Alex's voice carried effortlessly across the ballroom.The conversations around me faded until the room was almost silent."Ladies and gentlemen," he continued, "thank you for joining us tonight. Your continued support has allowed the Carter Group to preserve and invest in properties with historical and cultural value."The screen behind him changed.A photograph filled the display.My smile disappeared.The Verona Grand Hotel.My father's favorite property.The first hotel he ever trusted me to manage on my own.A strange feeling settled in my chest.No..."The Carter Group has finalized the acquisition of the Verona Grand Hotel earlier this week."Applause echoed through the ballroom.Someone even cheered, I couldn't.The words didn't make sense.They couldn't.The board had promised me more time.We were supposed to have another month to negotiate.My fingers tightened around my champagne glass."Victoria..."Sofia's voice sounded distant.I barely heard her.My feet were already moving.I crossed the ballroom before I could talk myself out of it.People stepped aside, whispering as I passed. I wasn't thinking about the cameras, guests or tomorrow's headlines.I only knew I needed answers.Alex noticed me before I reached the stage.For the first time that evening, his expression changed.Not much.Just enough for me to notice.I climbed the steps anyway."Is it true?" I asked, stopping a few feet away.My voice came out quieter than I expected "You bought Verona?"He looked at me for a moment before answering."Victoria...""Please."There was no anger in my voice anymore.Only disbelief."Tell me that isn't what you just announced."I continued. "This isn't the right place.""I didn't ask if it was."The room had gone silent behind me.I could feel hundreds of eyes watching us.Alex lowered his voice."We can discuss this somewhere private.""Can we?”I searched his face, hoping to find something that explained all of this.Some sign that there had been another option, another choice."Were you involved in the negotiations?"His silence lasted only a second."Yes." He answered The answer hurt more than I expected.Not because I thought he owed me anything but because until that moment, I'd convinced myself he might not have known.I let out a slow breath."So it's true.""The hotel was already in serious financial trouble," he said carefully. "The board made the decision.”"I know what the board did."My voice stayed calm, but it took effort."What I don't know is whether there was any way to stop this."For the first time since I'd walked onto the stage, he didn't answer immediately.His eyes stayed on mine."There wasn't."Maybe he believed that or maybe he was even telling the truth.But hearing it still felt like losing something all over again.I looked down for a second, trying to steady myself.When I looked back up, the cameras were already pointed at us.Of course they were.A public confrontation made a much better story than a charity gala.“I suppose congratulations are in order," I said quietly."It wasn't personal." I almost smiled."It's always personal when it's someone's family."A flicker of something crossed his face.Regret or maybe I only imagined it because I wanted someone to feel as awful as I did."I never wanted to embarrass you."His words caught me off guard.I studied him for a moment, he sounded sincere.That somehow made everything harder.Because it would've been easier if he were cruel.Easier if I could walk away believing he simply didn't care.Instead, he looked like someone carrying a burden I couldn't understand."I'm sorry, Victoria."Those three words settled somewhere deep inside me.Not enough to fix anything, not enough to change what had happened.But enough to make me question whether I really understood the man standing in front of me.I took a step back."There isn't anything left to say."Without waiting for a reply, I handed my untouched champagne glass to the nearest waiter and walked off the stage.The whispers followed me through the ballroom. So did the cameras.I kept my head high until I reached the exit.Only when the doors closed behind me did I finally let out the breath I'd been holding.Something told me losing the Verona Grand Hotel wasn't the end of my problems.It was only the beginning.