Capítulo 1 CHAPTER 1

The grand ballroom of the D'Armont estate was a shimmering beacon of wealth and power, its crystal chandeliers casting a kaleidoscope of light over the marble floors. The night air was filled with the harmonious strains of the orchestra, the laughter of nobles, and the soft clinking of glasses. This evening was more than a celebration-it was a declaration of the union between Elaine D'Armont, the sole heiress to the sprawling D'Armont trading empire, and Edmond Rousseau, the dashing nobleman whose charm and ambition had captured her heart.

Elaine stood at the heart of it all, a vision in an emerald gown that hugged her figure before flaring into a cascade of silk. The gemstones on her necklace glittered like stars, but even they paled in comparison to the radiance of her smile. She moved through the crowd with effortless grace, her every gesture exuding poise and confidence. Tonight, she was not just the darling of the D'Armont family-she was the centerpiece of high society, admired and envied in equal measure.

Yet, as she exchanged pleasantries with the guests, Elaine couldn't shake a sense of unease. It was subtle, like a shadow flitting at the edge of her vision, but it gnawed at her nonetheless. Perhaps it was the way Edmond's smile never quite reached his eyes, or the hushed conversations that seemed to stop abruptly when she approached. Dismissing her discomfort, she reminded herself that tonight was meant to be a joyous occasion. She had no reason to doubt her friends, her family, or her fiancé.

Edmond, ever the charming host, was by her side, his arm resting lightly on her waist. His tailored suit fit him perfectly, and his golden hair caught the light in a way that made him look every bit the prince her guests claimed him to be. "You look stunning, my love," he murmured, his voice smooth and practiced. "The entire room is captivated by you."

Elaine's smile widened, though a flicker of doubt crossed her mind. "And yet, it is you they admire most," she replied, her tone playful but probing.

He laughed softly, leaning closer. "Nonsense. This is your night, Elaine. I am merely here to bask in your glow."

Before she could respond, the orchestra began a waltz, and Edmond extended his hand. "Shall we dance?"

Elaine hesitated, her unease briefly surfacing, but the expectant gazes of their guests left her little choice. Taking his hand, she allowed him to lead her onto the dance floor. As they moved in perfect harmony, the world seemed to fade away. The crowd's admiring murmurs and the music's lilting melody should have reassured her, but the heaviness in her chest remained.

When the dance ended and applause erupted, Elaine excused herself, claiming she needed fresh air. Stepping onto the balcony, she welcomed the cool breeze against her flushed skin. The estate's gardens stretched out before her, their beauty a testament to generations of meticulous care. Yet, even this familiar sight failed to calm her restless mind.

As she leaned against the railing, the sound of voices reached her ears. At first, she thought it was just another pair of guests seeking privacy, but something about the tone-low and conspiratorial-caught her attention. Moving cautiously, she followed the voices to the edge of the balcony, where the shadows concealed her presence.

"She's too trusting," came a voice she recognized all too well. Edmond. "She has no idea what we're planning."

Elaine's breath caught in her throat. She pressed herself against the wall, her heart pounding as she strained to hear more.

"It's almost laughable," said a second voice, one that sent a chill down her spine. Lúcia. Her childhood friend, her confidante. "She treats us like family, yet she doesn't see the knives we're holding behind her back. When the time comes, she'll hand over everything willingly."

Elaine's knees threatened to give way. Her mind raced, desperately searching for an explanation. They couldn't be talking about her. It had to be some misunderstanding.

"The D'Armont fortune will be ours," Edmond continued, his tone cold and calculating. "And with her out of the way, we can finally live the lives we deserve."

The words were a dagger to Elaine's heart. She clutched the balcony's edge, her vision blurring with tears. The man she loved, the friend she trusted above all others-they were conspiring against her. The world she had known, the life she had cherished, crumbled around her.

As she listened, the depth of their betrayal became clear. Edmond spoke of manipulating her emotions, of gaining control over her assets. Lúcia laughed about how easy it was to deceive her. They had no love for her, only ambition and greed.

Elaine's hands trembled as she fought to maintain her composure. She couldn't let them see her like this. She needed time to think, to plan. Quietly retreating from the balcony, she made her way to her chambers, her mind a whirlwind of emotions.

The following morning, Elaine awoke with a sense of dread. The events of the previous night replayed in her mind, each detail more horrifying than the last. She wanted to believe it was all a misunderstanding, but the clarity of their words left no room for doubt.

She couldn't confront Edmond or Lúcia outright. If they were willing to betray her so thoroughly, there was no telling how far they'd go to protect their plans. Instead, she resolved to investigate, to uncover every facet of their conspiracy.

Her first step was to observe. During breakfast, she watched Edmond closely, noting the way he smiled at her with practiced ease. His charm, once so endearing, now felt like a mask. Lúcia was no different, her laughter ringing hollow in Elaine's ears.

Throughout the day, Elaine moved through the estate, scrutinizing everyone she encountered. Her father's senior advisor, Lord Hawthorne, was particularly evasive, his words carefully measured. She began to see the patterns she had overlooked before-the quick glances, the hushed conversations, the subtle shifts in demeanor when she entered a room.

That evening, Elaine secluded herself in her study, poring over financial ledgers and correspondence. At first glance, everything appeared in order, but her sharp mind caught discrepancies-transactions that didn't add up, payments to accounts she didn't recognize. The patterns were faint but undeniable.

As the days turned into weeks, Elaine's investigation deepened. She discovered that Edmond had been siphoning funds from her accounts, using them to pay off gambling debts and finance lavish gifts for Lúcia. Her trusted advisors, including Lord Hawthorne, were complicit, turning a blind eye in exchange for bribes. Even the household staff had been corrupted, with some reporting her every move to Edmond.

Elaine's nights were sleepless, her days a constant act. She smiled at Edmond, laughed with Lúcia, and attended meetings with her advisors, all while the weight of their betrayal threatened to crush her.

Finally, the moment of reckoning arrived. Late one night, Elaine was summoned to a private meeting in her study. When she entered, Edmond, Lúcia, and several of her advisors were already waiting. The atmosphere was tense, their expressions guarded.

"Elaine," Edmond began, his tone feigning concern, "we've been discussing the future of the D'Armont empire. It's clear you're overwhelmed. Perhaps it's time to delegate some of your responsibilities."

Elaine's pulse quickened. "Delegate? To whom?"

Lúcia stepped forward, her smile saccharine. "To those who have your best interests at heart, of course. We only want what's best for you."

Before Elaine could respond, one of the advisors poured her a glass of wine and handed it to her. She hesitated, her instincts screaming a warning. The advisor's gaze was too intense, his movements too deliberate.

"Drink, my lady," he said, his voice deceptively calm. "You've had a long day."

Elaine's hand trembled as she accepted the glass. She lifted it to her lips, pretending to sip while covertly examining the liquid. A faint, bitter scent confirmed her suspicions. Poison.

"You're right," she said, setting the glass down. "I have had a long day. I think I'll retire early."

Edmond's expression darkened. "You're not leaving, Elaine."

Before she could react, two guards stepped forward, blocking her path. Panic surged through her as Edmond approached, his mask of civility slipping to reveal cold malice.

"You should have just drunk the wine," he sneered. "But don't worry. We'll make sure your passing looks... natural."

Elaine's mind raced, her survival instincts kicking in. She knew she was outnumbered, but she refused to go down without a fight. Summoning every ounce of her courage, she prepared to face the betrayal head-on.