Chapter 1 - The Shattered Glass Protection
The grand luxury ballroom hummed with the quiet arrogance of Manhattan’s elite under shimmering crystal chandeliers and above reflective marble floors. In the center of the floor, middle-aged socialite Cassandra, draped in a dark red embellished gown and dripping in diamond jewelry, raised her manicured hand to strike elderly Elena, who sat quietly in her wheelchair wearing a black sequined gown and a dark wrap.
"How dare you touch me, peasant!" Cassandra shrieked, her face contorted with unbridled rage.
Before her hand could connect, young server Sofia lunged forward with fierce determination. Her silver tray flipped from her hand, sending crystal champagne flutes crashing violently onto the marble floor, shattering into hundreds of glistening shards. Sofia caught Cassandra's wrist mid-air with an iron grip.
As Cassandra tried to shove her away with her free hand, Sofia delivered a swift, sharp, resounding slap directly across Cassandra's face.
"Keep your hands off her!" Sofia declared, her voice echoing clearly across the silent ballroom.
Cassandra stumbled backward, clutching her reddened cheek in absolute shock and rage. "Guards! Kill this server now!" she screamed, pointing a trembling finger.
The crowd went dead silent as tall, imposing Mafia Boss Damian Volkov slowly stepped out from behind a massive marble pillar, flanked by two towering bodyguards.
"Touch a single hair on her head and you die," Damian warned, his lethal voice chilling the air.
Cassandra gasped, her face turning pale as paper. "Damian... it was an accident..."
Damian knelt beside the wheelchair, softly taking Elena's hand, then turned his dark eyes toward Sofia.
"She saved my life, son," Elena whispered emotionally.
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Damian stood tall, gesturing to his men, who grabbed Cassandra forcefully by the arms to drag her out. He placed a steady hand on Sofia's shoulder. "Name your price, Sofia. You are under my protection now."
👉 Read PART 2 to discover why the Volkov family was attending this gala under disguise!
