“Every person sitting in that room got an invitation paid for with money Walter earned,” I said.

We walked into the formal foyer together.

The air inside smelled of roasted prime rib, expensive perfume, and hot wax from the fresh table candles.

Laughter drifted out of the main dining room, loud and relaxed, broken up by the clink of heavy silver against china.

Victoria stood at the head of the long mahogany table in her dark green silk dress, turning the empty diamond setting around her finger.

“The commercial expansion will reshape the entire northern ridge,” Victoria was telling the table, her honeyed tone carrying cleanly over the background music.