Chapter 9 - The Grand Gala
Three months later.
The Grand Bellgrave Opera House was lit with thousands of crystal lights, hosting the annual winter charity ball—the most prestigious, high-stakes gathering of elite politicians, wealthy aristocrats, and crime bosses in the Midwest.
The main ballroom was a sea of shimmering silk, expensive tuxedos, and snobbish chatter.
Near the grand staircase, a group of high-society women—the wives of influential corrupt judges and shipping tycoons—were whispering behind their feather fans.
"I hear she used to scrub toilets," one woman sneered. "A heavy, common girl from the docks... it's an absolute disgrace to the Castellano legacy."
"Dominic must have suffered a brain injury," another whispered. "She doesn't belong in a dress, let alone in our circle."
At that exact second, the brass trumpets sounded from the upper balcony.
"Announcing Don Dominic Castellano... and Donna Marin Holloway!"
The entire ballroom went dead silent. Every single head turned toward the grand marble staircase.
Marin stepped into the light.
She was a vision of absolute, breathtaking majesty. She wore a custom-designed, midnight-blue velvet ballgown that celebrated every single inch of her plush, voluptuous figure. The corset was embroidered with thousands of tiny sapphire crystals that sparkled like stars, cascading down into a magnificent train. Her dark curls were pinned up in a regal crown, topped with a diamond tiara, and on her finger sat the heavy platinum Castellano signet ring alongside a ten-carat flawless blue diamond.
Beside her stood Dominic, looking magnificent in a black velvet tuxedo, his dark eyes glowing with an intense, public worship that left no doubt in anyone's mind who ruled his heart.
They walked down the stairs together, stepping into the middle of the ballroom like a king and queen entering their court.
The socialites who had been whispering two minutes ago instantly bowed their heads, their faces pale with a mixture of awe and absolute terror.
Dominic led Marin to the center of the dance floor. He wrapped his broad arm securely around her soft waist, pulling her flush against his chest as the orchestra began to play a sweeping, romantic waltz.
"They are all staring at you, my love," Dominic whispered into her ear as he spun her effortlessly across the marble floor.
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"Let them stare," Marin replied, her warm brown eyes shining up at him with deep, unconditional love. "They're just realizing that the maid owns the castle now."
Dominic let out a rich, happy laugh that resonated across the entire ballroom, dipping her low beneath the glittering chandeliers, kissing her deeply in front of the entire city.
