The Legacy We Burn

Chapter1

I've always loved a good elite party. In one like this there are things to expect. Things I look forward to. The ballroom had large windows stretching from the floor to ceiling overlooking the glittering city skyline through the night. The crystal chandeliers dripped from the vaulted ceiling, scattering light across the marble floor in fractured rainbows. The decor a perfect blend of gold and ivory. Waiters in white gloves moved in choreographed precision, balancing trays of champagne flutes, wine glasses, and silver dishes. At the right corner of the ballroom was a live string quartet, the soft but stern melodies flowing from their tune, mixing with the chatter and laughter filling up the room. Socialites and elites at your every turn taking up the room with their presence that you could almost taste the luxury in the air.

I looked out into the city and stared at the tall, merciless skyscrapers that stood out there. A reminder that this was merely a celebration, but a battlefield of power. The perfect mix of old money elegance and modern extravagance. A carefully staged shimmery illustration of wealth and power. This was the Beaumont- Montclair merger gala.

The crowd was a tapestry of polished power. Men in tailored designer suits and tuxedoes, women in fabulous gowns that whispered opulence with every step. In this room, every handshake is calculated, every toast a performance, and tonight, I was the main act. This is the stage where legacies are forged... or destroyed.

I grew up in rooms like these. I knew how dangerous each and every person present was. Tonight is no different, except it might be. Even with my smile that is an astounding performance, I feel my stomach twist into knots at the mention of the word "merger". Tonight, the long time successful family dynasties, Beaumont and Montclair, are no longer rivals... or that's what they think. I am Scarlet Beaumont, the only child and heiress to the Beaumont family. We are an old money fashion and real estate empire. To everyone, we represent elegance, reputation, and control. But that might not be the case. With my mother's dress that was a season out of date, and my father who laughed a little too loudly at the Montclairs jokes, their smiles a little too eager. One thing was clear, we needed this merger. Everyone knew it. It's quite ironic that at our most difficult point in time, the only people we had to fall back on were our enemies– The Montclairs. Even though I am dreading every bit of what the future would look like because of this partnership, it's the only way out, because both families need this. The Montclairs, a wealthy dynasty rooted in cutthroat industries in banking, finance and tech. As good as they seem, in this modern age where their ideologies don't fit in, they need to stay relevant, and what better way to do that than to partner with the most relevant luxury fashion empire in the country.

I looked out towards the city again but now I could see that it was mocking me.

My parents were surely around somewhere caught up in the whirl of handshakes and champagne toasting, trying to sell off the illusion of this merger being about unity. But that clearly wasn't the case. Nothing in our world is about unity.

And just across the room, frequently being submerged by a wave of silk dresses, stilettos, and red lipstick, Sebastian Montclair.

The heir of the Montclair family. of course he looks every bit the heir his family wants him to be. He entered like the room already belonged to him– tailored black suit, shoulders straight, a smirk that cut as easily as it charmed. He was respected in this city– feared mostly. His father was by his side, wearing that same predatory look that makes me just want to claw at something. He is every inch his father's son.

I can only think of how on earth my fate turned out this bad. Our eyes lock for a fraction of a second. His jaw tightens. Mine does too. It's instinct. Muscle memory from a lifetime of rivalry. And just like that, the night doesn't feel a little like a celebration, it feels just like it should. A war.

"Are you ready?" I hear from behind me and I look around to see Catherine, my best friend and overpaid assistant. Her tall and slim frame looked gorgeous in the black strapless dress she had on, her black pixie cut hair made room for her long, beautiful neck to be exposed. She had an ease and elegance about her that wasn't easy to match. I let out a sigh, "I can never be ready for what's coming". "Well on the bright side you look incredible as always", she says as we both turn around to stand side by side. I was dressed in an emerald silk evening gown that clung to my slender body to reveal my curves, with its sharp and elegant neckline dipping just enough to spark whispers, while the back was draped low in an cascade of fabric that looked like water when I walked, stealing attention from everyone. my diamond-ivory drop earrings grazed the curve of my neck, an heirloom borrowed from my mother's collection– a Beaumont signature meant to remind the world of who we are. A delicate bracelet of emerald and platinum circled my wrist. a carefully crafted ring with a big emerald gem rested on my finger. My auburn hair was swept into a sleek chignon, polished to perfection, with a loose wavy strand escaping in front relaxing at the side of my face. And my stilettos, a muted gold, subtle but bitting, like armor strapped on my feet. I caught my reflection in the window before the city skyline. I know what everyone will see when I walk up that stage. Not Scarlet, the woman, but Scarlet Beaumont– heir, pawn and prize. My life wasn't mine, it belonged to the legacy stitched into mine."That doesn't change the fact that this night is the start of the shittiest time of my life", I replied while crossing my arms and letting out a sigh. "Golden boy over there can't be that bad", she said as she tilts her head towards Sebastian. "You have no idea", I say as Cat grabbed two glasses of champagne from the waiter passing by. She hands me one. "But I gotta say, he is hot", she says as she eyes him, then me. "oh please", I said as I rolled my eyes. "Just saying", she says as she raises her hands in defense.

Just then, the music softens, a subtle cue that the big announcement is about to happen. A hush falls over the crowd as waiters glide through the room, replacing and restoring half empty flutes and wine glasses. Everyone knows what's coming. My father, in the strong demeanor of his, walked down to the far end of the room, unto the stage. People began to spread out to make way for him to be seen clearly. Reporters and the press got their cameras ready to click and flash at every step. My father clears his throat, the sound sharp against the glittering hum of the ballroom. My mother joins him by his side, both beaming their well rehearsed smile. Besides them, Sebastian's father, Mr Montclair takes his place.

"Today marks the dawn, ladies and gentlemen..." my father began in his calm but commanding polished voice, "of the a new era, not just for our families, but for this city. This isn't just business, it's the union of two great legacies". Applause and cheers mixed with shutters of cameras rippled through the air as he made deliberate pauses between his speech, letting his words linger through the room long enough for me to almost believe it. "Tonight history is made", Mr Montclair pitches in. "It is the uniting of two great empires", he says as he claps his hands together, fingers intertwining. "The Montclair and Beaumont empire, luxury meeting tech and finance, forming a partnership to usher in a new era where tradition and modernity can thrive together perfectly". My father continues, "We are proud to announce the creation of The Montrose District – a bold reimagining of the city's heart. A place where heritage and innovation converge, where timeless architecture meets cutting edge design, where culture thrives beside commerce. Together, we will reshape the skyline, usher in new prosperity, and leave behind not just buildings, but a legacy. The Montrose District will stand as prove of what vision can accomplish– when history and ambition join forces. The project will be overseen by a team of brilliant experts who will work together in the new Montclair tower to carry out corporate activities"

Here it comes... "It is an honor to announce that this project will be co-chaired by my very own heir, Sebastian Montclair." Mr Montclair chims in. Cheers ripple through as glasses clicked and smile widened. Eyes from everyone present followed him up as he walked up to meet with our families, he beamed with confidence and power, almost so tangible you could feel it. " And my daughter, the Beaumont's jewel herself, Scarlet Beaumont". "Go get 'em", Cat whispered in my ear. I sauntered into the crowd just how I know how to, chin up, shoulders back, wearing a smile that made it look like I owned everything. I could feel my skin prickle as the words settle on me like hot rods, but I don't show this though, that's what Beaumonts do. I meet up with Sebastian, just in front of our parents. We don't look at each other. "Together...", my father continues, "they will carry the weight of our legacies into the future". Applause erupts, this time even louder, as all eyes and cameras shutter fell in our direction as we stood side by side. He leans in and whispers in my ear, "Try not to look so miserable, they're already betting on how long before you crack", he said with the smug look on his face as he twists his jaw. He wasn't wrong. Any slight fumbling of my countenance was scoop enough for reporters to fuel the bankruptcy rumors. "If I look miserable, Montclair, it's only from the effort of standing this close to you without stabbing you with my heel". He stepped just a breath too close, the heat of his shoulders brushing mine as we stood before a sea of glittering eyes. "I'm just looking out, Beaumont, people might see right through you", he said with a slight smirk on his face. I tilt my chin, letting the light catch the edge of my smile,"Oh, don't worry about me, worry about not fumbling the speech you've practised in front of your father". He chuckled under his breath, low and intimate, like a secret only i was allowed to hear. His jaw ticked as he turned to look at me, his eyes slid over me, lingering longer than they should have, amusement sparkling in them as though my defiance fed him. "Careful, Beaumont", he murmured, his lips almost grazing my ear, "Keep glaring like that and they'll actually think we like each other ". "Don't worry, that's the last thing anyone would think", I said as I held his gaze a little longer before turning to face the crowd. "Looking forward to working with you, Beaumont", he sneered, eyes darkening.

And as the applause thundered, I realised the real danger wasn't the deal, it was him.