Hourglass → Ace; Nancy Drew [1]

ix. the cost of fortune

THE COST OF FORTUNE
CHAPTER NINE

The sound of clinking glasses and classical music filled the ballroom with an air of summer joy in the wintertime. Bright red lipstick and cheerful grins were in every corner as businessmen and women fraternized over glasses of Dom Perignon Champagne or Petrus wine. It was an unusual sight, for people like these to all be in one room together. While some were colleagues, working in sister companies, others were competitors, only putting on a smile for the event; big names like the Marvins couldn't have their reputations tarnished by not showing up to a non-profit charity fundraiser for unfortunate children. Regardless, every one of Olivia's father's associates– friend or foe– enjoyed an excuse to wear their finest new ballgown or tuxedo and show off their families.

Olivia forced her nude-pink-painted lips into a smile as she passed the guest. She struggled to keep a well-mannered posture and genuine-looking smile as they all waved at her, commending the wonderful setup of the gala in the ballroom of the Irvine mansion. "Olivia," Charles Holloway greeted, stepping in front of her and blocking her path. The old man's chin was up snobbishly, revealing the unkept forest in his nostrils.

"Mr. Holloway, it's great to see you!" Olivia faked a toothy grin. She turned to his wife, her head of hair black extensions neatly tied up with a large, crystally clip. "And Mrs. Holloway, you look absolutely stunning."

"As do you, sweetheart." She held a cold hand over Olivia's arm affectionately. "Is your dress custom made? I adore it."

"It is!" Olivia brushed her hands over the silk material of her long white bodycon gown before nodding. "Thank you."

"You haven't seen your father around, Olivia, have you?" Charles Holloway asked, tearing into his wife's conversation with her.

She frowned apologetically. "I haven't, but if I see him I'll let him know you were looking for him." Olivia took a step forward to try to make her exit, but before she could, Charles began his rambling.

"That would be wonderful; he and I have a lot of business to discuss. With the way the tides have been in the last few-"

In perfect timing, a caterer in a white and black tuxedo appeared with a tray in hand. Olivia tugged on his arm gently, motioning for him to come closer to the group of three she was standing in. "Have you tried these? They're delicious," she interrupted Mr. Holloway, pointing to the gourmet sushi in the tray. With a large, fake smile, she waited until his focus was on picking one out of the tray to start her getaway.

Shuffling to the left, she brushed past the tall, round table bars covered in Italian linen cloth. She waved kindly at all the guests that said their hellos but trotted fast enough in her black heels to dodge them and the photographers standing in each corner of the room.

Just as she stepped into the high-ceilinged area of the entrance hall, Olivia suddenly stopped in her place as a wave of dizziness overcame her. She grabbed onto the side of the wall to stop herself from swaying. Inhaling softly she closed her eyes to try and recompose herself, but as she peeled them open, a flicker of ash red flame-filled her pupils. Her eyes remained focused on the small burning fire in her sight– she was almost drawn to it, unable to blink the strange vision away. She flinched violently at the sound of a blood-curdling scream and snapped her head up to scan the room. When all she saw were more guests entering through the door, she cleared her throat and tried to hide the rapid rising and falling of her chest. "Bess..." she whispered to herself, staring at the floor in realization.