The luxury in front of me almost overwhelmed me as I emerged from the glass elevator that led to The Peninsula Chicago’s rooftop. Each column was encircled by golden ribbons of light.
A tiny jazz ensemble played gentle songs that blended with the delicate clinking of glasses at banquet tables covered in immaculate white linen and decorated with imported orchids.
Outsiders saw the picture as evidence of wealth, a spectacular show of affection from a wealthy family paying tribute to their daughter.
However, each flickering candle seemed to me like a flame ready to devour my heart with its lies.
The majority of the attendees were well-known figures from Chicago’s business community.
I recognized my father’s business associates, well-dressed executives, powerful lawyers who had worked for our family for many years, and even a few reporters from regional financial publications.
Only a few people in the sea of strangers really belonged to me: Emily and Noah, who appeared a little out of place in their rented suit and gown.
They rushed over to give me congrats and embraces, and I forced a grin, secretly thankful that I still had people who truly cared about me and that I wasn’t totally alone.
I could feel my parents’ unwavering gaze on me while I talked to my pals. They watched every motion I made and every word I spoke, pressing down on me like the weight of two hawks circling prey.
They moved slightly to keep me in their line of sight whenever I changed positions.
Their smiles remained fixed, but the calculating glint in their eyes and the rigidity of their lips conveyed a different message.
Over the years, I had become accustomed to their coldness. However, there was more than control in their stare tonight.
It smelled like a scheme.
I saw my dad lean in and mumble something to Gerald, the longstanding lawyer for the company.
Gerald nodded, then gave me the critical, evaluative eye of someone evaluating a piece that was going to be put up for sale.
I felt a chill go through me. That man had been my father’s right hand throughout my whole life, preparing contracts, filling in all legal gaps, and protecting the business from criticism.
It wasn’t merely to commemorate my graduation if he was present tonight.
Sophia materialized beside me, beaming as usual. She gave me a little touch on the shoulder and raised her champagne glass.
“Everyone continues asking me about your post-graduation plans, sis. Why do people have such an obsession with that? Mom and Dad are constantly bringing it up.
I noticed Sophia’s innocence and a hint of discomfort in her gaze. The truth underlying it all was still beyond her comprehension.
Anger at her constant favoritism and sympathy for her failure to recognize that she was merely a piece on our parents’ chessboard caused my chest to constrict.
I said, forcing a smile:
“They probably just want to make sure that I’ll act in the family’s best interests.”
Sophia scowled.
But isn’t this the right time for you? Why don’t they inquire about your happiness and desires?”
I was pierced like a knife by that straightforward inquiry. To avoid responding, I glanced away and sipped my water.
I turned to see my mother staring at me with a wax-like smile. With her glass of wine sparkling in her fingers, she stood among a group of society ladies. However, her focus remained fixed on every action I took.
The press loved to refer to her as a “woman of the people,” and she had always been a skilled public performer. However, I was aware of the reality.
Beneath that polished façade, there was a heartless heart that was prepared to sacrifice anyone, including her own daughter, in order to maintain her fame.
I forced myself to remain composed as I took a big breath. My senses were all on high alert. I was aware that I was the prey and that I was in the arena of predators.
All I could hear was my heart pounding in my chest as the laughter and conversation around me subsided into a far-off hum. My thoughts quickly returned to the notebook I had hidden away with the data from the water sample.
That truth could still be revealed as long as I lived. Perhaps my parents had determined that I had to be eliminated tonight for precisely that reason.
However, I did not shudder. I had already heard about their plan. I vowed to myself that I would not allow them to win so easily since I was prepared.
The most official phase of the celebration had begun. The rooftop was illuminated by warm golden lights that shone on the circular tables that surrounded the stage in a circle and were covered in immaculate white fabric.
The delicate clinking of crystal glasses blended with the faint sound of live jazz emanating from the band in the corner.
I looked around. All of the visitors were present, including the family lawyer, a few journalists, and business associates.
Everyone eagerly awaited the opportunity to raise their glasses in celebration of the esteemed graduate of the Lee family—more precisely, in honor of Sophia, not me.
I felt nervous as I sat there in the navy blue dress Emily had picked out for me. My parents had been staring at me since the start of the evening. I felt like everything I did was being examined under a microscope.
Every time I spoke to a visitor, my father’s eyes darted from me to the family lawyer, a silver-haired man with tiny glasses that glinted in the lights, and then he leaned in to whisper something.
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