Chapter Seven: Gold, Glass and Poisoned Smiles
Sarah's POV:
The invitation list arrived on thick ivory paper, edged in gold.
Andre's seal pressed into the corner like a warning.
I stared at it for a long time before opening it, my fingers brushing over the raised emblem. A week. That was all. One week until the world would know what my family had tried so hard to erase.
Andre didn't say much when he handed it to me. He just watched me, his dark silver eyes staring sharply, calculating.
"This dinner," he said calmly, "isn't just a celebration."
"I know," I replied.
It was a battlefield.
I'll have to double the guards for protection, he said, I'm not going to risk anything… Introducing you to the public means making you a prey for my enemies, I know you probably don't want this life and I'll understand if you walk away but I want you to know that I'll protect you with every blood in my vain, he said with tears in his eyes…
I kissed him so passionately, I'm not going anywhere Dre, I knew what I was getting into when I said I was gonna marry you, I'm ready for this, he smiled and said " Dre" I like it..he smirked…
He kissed me on the forehead and was about stepping out, he paused and said…
I sent an invitation to your dad's and I'm pretty sure they are going to come… I need to make it pretty clear that no one can never harm you again..
I smiled,and besides,it's good to have your enemies closer, I said…
Let the party begin
Blair's POV:
The invitation felt heavier than it should have.
Gold letters. Andre's name.
I read it twice, then laughed softly.
"So," I murmured. "This is how it begins…hmmmm… this is a perfect opportunity for me
Mum was in the living room when I walked in, her eyes lighting up the moment she saw the envelope.
"Let me see," Mabel said quickly, snatching it from my hand.
Her smile stretched wider as she read.
"A dinner hosted by Andre," she said slowly. This is gonna be "Public. Powerful. Expensive." Just my style
She looked up at me.
"This is an opportunity mum." I said
I sat down, crossing my legs. "Sarah thinks she's won."
I'm gonna take him away from her…
Mum scoffed. Now That's my daughter, I love the fact that you got your mum's brain, you see "Men will always be Men and Men like Andre don't stay loyal. They conquer."
I leaned closer, lowering my voice. "Then he should be mine too"
Mum's eyes gleamed. "Do it properly tho."
I smiled. "I'll drug him. Something to turn him on so badly that he'll want to devour just any woman he sees…and that will be my opportunity…I said
"And Sarah?", Mum asks
Mummmm, Who cares…
"I'll deal with her later, okay, don't ruin this moment for me."
Mum squeezed my hand. "Seduce him. Secure him, do whatever you must, you got my back, If your father is finished, Andre becomes our future, we can't be broke." Never.
I nodded. If Dad can't provide anymore… and if my darling Raymond is broken and useless… then Andre is the only answer left, I thought
I already had a plan in mind, I smiled
Sarah's POV:
I stood in front of the mirror as maids fluttered around me, adjusting my gown, fixing the fall of fabric over my hips. The dress Andre chose clung to me like it knew my body—deep emerald silk, off-shoulder, fitted at the waist, flowing down in soft waves. My skin glowed against it. My hair was pinned halfway up, curls cascading freely down my back.
I looked… powerful.
Yet my chest felt tight.
Revenge demanded patience, but patience felt like standing on a blade.
Andre entered the room dressed in black—tailored suit, crisp white shirt, no tie. He looked lethal and breathtaking at the same time. When his eyes found me, something softened in them.
"You Look so breathtaking Sarah, I can't believe you're my wife" he said quietly.
I smiled. "Thanks, Dre"
He offered his arm. I took it. And we went for the dinner party
———
The ballroom glittered like a palace carved from light.
Crystal chandeliers rained gold over polished marble floors. Tall ivory columns were wrapped in soft white florals and green vines. Tables were draped in champagne silk, centerpieces glowing with candlelight and orchids. A live orchestra played low, elegant music that hummed beneath conversations.
This wasn't just a party
This was power, I thought
Families poured in—old money, new power, whispers trailing behind them like perfume. Then I saw them.
The Ambrose family.
My father walked in stiffly, his arm linked with Mabel's. She wore diamonds too loud for a woman already drowning in debt. Blair followed behind them, dressed in silver, her blonde hair falling perfectly over her shoulders.
They looked like a perfect family, I smiled
The whole attention rested on the entrance as I and Andre walked in together
The murmurs and Admiration started,
"Is that her?"
"They look… unreal."
"No wonder he married her."
" OMG, They look so good together"
" She's so beautiful"
I felt Andre's hand tighten at my waist as we walked. Possessive. Steady.
Perfect.
Applause thundered through the hall as Andre led me onto the stage.
His voice was steady, commanding, impossible to ignore.
"This woman," he said, pulling me closer, "is my wife."
The room erupted. She is now a BLANC..
That was Andre's Surname
I felt a surge of power flow through me and it felt good….
Smiles. Congratulations. Envy sharp enough to cut was what followed…
I smiled too — but my eyes found Blair across the room.
She wasn't clapping.
She looked pained and absent minded…I knew something was up her sleeve
I better watch out for her, I thought…
Afterward, I and Andre were talking to some of his clients when Ambrose approached Andre, desperation clinging to him like sweat.
"I need a private word, please" my father said.
Andre didn't even blink. "Anything you want to say, you can say in front of my wife."
My dad paused, and was about saying something
Then..I stepped in smoothly, smiling. "I was heading to the ladies anyway."
Andre hesitated,
Are you sure, he whispered, I nodded, then he let me go…
Blair's POV:
Mum didn't interrupt me once.
That was how I knew she approved.
We stood in the hallway while music from the ballroom below floated faintly through the walls. She leaned against the wall, fingers laced together, listening as if I were talking about fabric choices instead of a seduction.
"I've watched him," I said calmly. "Andre is disciplined. Controlled. But he's still a man."
Mum nodded. "And men always slip."
I reached for the small vial hidden inside my clutch and held it up between two fingers. Clear. Innocent-looking.
It's harmless right?, my mum asked
"Don't worry mum, It won't kill him," I continued. "Just slow him. Make him pliable, Aroused and Confused enough to follow instructions."
"And Sarah?" Mum asked.
A smile curved my lips. "She won't be fast enough."
Mum's mouth lifted in approval. "Good. Make sure your father drinks too."
"Of course," I said smoothly. "If only Andre reacts, it becomes suspicious."
Mum stood and squeezed my shoulder. "You were born for this, Blair."
And of course I believed her.
A glass broke, someone was there listening,
Go check it out, Mabel said
No one is here mum, probably just the wind
Let's leave here now,before someone actually shows up, mum said while walking out and I followed behind..
⸻
The ballroom glowed brighter when I returned, laughter and champagne blurring together. I spotted the servant to use immediately — young, nervous, easily bought. Perfect…I called him and I pressed a few dollars into his hands and handed the glasses into his hands with practiced ease.
"This one," I said quietly, tapping the first glass, "is for Mr. Ambrose."
I tapped the second.
"And this goes to Mr. Andre."
The servant swallowed. "Yes, miss."
I watched from across the room as my father accepted his drink, completely unaware. Then Andre took his.
My breath slowed. I watched patiently…
Andre lifted the glass, he paused for a moment like he knew something was up…
I held my breath…and then he took a measured sip… then finished it.
I breathed out loudly and A thrill slid down my spine.
At first, nothing happened.
Then I noticed the shift.
His shoulders stiffened. His jaw tightened. One hand pressed briefly against the table as if grounding himself. His eyes darkened, losing sharpness at the edges.
There it is. I said smiling
I signaled The servant, gave him a room key and told him to take him upstairs, The servant went, leaned in and whispered something. Andre nodded once, distracted, already slipping.
I followed as he moved towards the stairs, guards flanking him. I stayed back, invisible, patient.
Just before they reached the landing, Andre spoke.
"Get Sarah," he told one of them.
I scoffed softly under my breath.
Before Sarah gets here, it'll be too late.
⸻
The guards stationed themselves outside the room while Andre stumbled inside. I waited. Counted my steps. Then I rubbed my eyes hard, forcing tears, letting my breath hitch.
I ran toward them.
"Please," I cried, voice shaking. "Something's happened to Sarah. Downstairs. I screamed"
The guards froze.
"What? How come?" one asked.
I grabbed his arm. "Do you think Andre would forgive you if anything happens to his wife while you're standing here?"
That did it.
They ran.
I straightened instantly, wiping my face clean.
Pathetic. I said under my breath
I turned the handle and slipped inside, locking the door behind me.
Andre laid on the bed, breathing unevenly, jacket half-off, eyes heavy but still dangerous.
I approached slowly, like one might approach fire.
"Poor Sarah," I murmured. "She thinks love makes her special."
I reached for his blazer, letting my fingers trail just enough to test him.
"Sisters share," I whispered. "And I don't think she'll mind sharing you."
I leaned closer, smiling as confidence flooded me.
"I don't even mind giving you an heir."
I laughed softly, lifting my hands toward my dress—
The door burst open.
And everything shattered.