The chandelier stood high up in the white ceiling, glistening like a sky full of stars, swaying gently above a crowd of elites. Their laughter echoed off the marble walls of Graham's estate, their champagne glasses filled with the most expensive wine which was moderately priced.
In the center of it all stood a beautiful woman.
She wore a gown the color of crushed rubies, sequins catching the light so that each turn of her body drew eyes. Her long black hair, swept into waves, framed a face that carried the delicate beauty of her late mother, softened by her father's light brown eyes. Those eyes, sharp, assessing, confident roved the room, the way only a Graham's could.
"You are so lucky, Diana. I can't believe your father closed yet another deal," one of the women said in an excited tone, but the glint of jealousy that passed through her eyes said otherwise.
"Thank you, I won't count it as luck, but hard work," Diana replied, a smile on her face but not reaching her eyes. She didn't miss the glint. How could she ignore all their looks? The look of jealousy in their eyes as they spoke to her. The fakeness around them as they acted like they were genuinely happy for her family, when she knew it was the latter.
It was sickening to stand with them and act like everything was fine when all she wanted to do was say what was on her mind, which wasn't very pleasant. But she didn't want to ruin the party. She brought the champagne glass up to her lips and took a sip from it.
Diana felt the warmth of her father's hand on her back and turned to see him standing by her side with a warm smile on his face.
"I'm sorry, but I have to steal my daughter for a moment," he said to the woman in front of her, who immediately adjusted her smile and nodded. Diana was more than glad to be stolen away. She had no idea how much longer she could keep up the act with them.
She let her father lead her away.
"Thank you," she whispered to him as they navigated their way through the crowd. He smiled at her and patted her shoulder.
"I have someone to introduce to you," Robert said and led her to where his investors, heirs, and senators were.
"My daughter," he said proudly, "the future of Graham's Holdings."
Once, near midnight, she found her father alone on the balcony, coughing into his fist, his shoulders bowed for just an instant before he straightened as she approached.
"Are you alright?" she asked.
"Perfectly fine." His tone was brisk, dismissive. Too brisk. "Go back inside. Tonight is yours as much as mine."
She wanted to press, but the orchestra struck a triumphant note and the party demanded her presence again.
So she went.
And that was the last night Diana Graham would ever feel untouchable.
By the end of the night, Diana was completely exhausted and retired to her room before the party ended.
Diana woke up late the next morning, with a slight headache throbbing in her head as she dragged herself out of bed. Her eyes slowly fluttered open as she let out a deep sigh and got up into a sitting position. It was bright outside already, but she woke up just in time to have breakfast with her father.
She was quick to get ready so she wouldn't miss him before he went to work, but as soon as Diana stepped downstairs, she immediately noticed the stifling tension in the air.
It started with whispers from the maids.
"I don't believe any of it..." she heard one of the maids whisper as she walked towards the dining room. Her brow shot up in confusion and she slowed her pace. What were they talking about?
She took another step closer so she could hear more clearly, but one of the maids sighted her and the three maids immediately scurried away.
Diana stood there, confused, but didn't read much into it. She knew they gossiped and were probably startled by her presence. She let out a deep sigh and continued her journey to the dining room.
"Good morning!..." she said cheerfully as she walked into the room but trailed off when she was met with an empty room. Her father wasn't seated at the head of the table like he always was.
Did he leave for work already? Her eyes travelled to the clock on the wall. No, he wasn't late. He still had more than an hour left before he had to leave.
Where was he? Didn't he come down for breakfast yet? And why was the house so quiet?
Where was Gladys, their housekeeper?
"Ma'am," she heard a familiar voice come from behind her and turned to see two maids standing at her back. The looks on their faces immediately informed Diana that something was going on.
"Where is my father? What is going on? Where is everyone? Why is the house so quiet?" Diana asked, her face etched with worry.
The two maids exchanged worried looks, increasing Diana's worry. Did something happen at the party while she was asleep?
"Was there a fight?" she continued with her questions.
"Say something!" she added when no one would speak up.
"You need to see this, ma'am. It's all over the news," one of the maids finally said and gestured toward the living room.
Diana followed both of them to the living room and folded her hands across her chest as the maid turned on the television.
Diana froze as soon as the television came on, her heart dropping...
Her father's face filled the screen, alongside the Graham Holdings logo.
"The police have issued a warrant for the arrest of Robert Graham, founder and CEO of Graham Holdings, following allegations of embezzlement and financial fraud…"
Diana could hear the television, but her mind was still trying to process everything that was happening. Was she having a nightmare?
She turned to look at the maids and saw the look of terror in their eyes.
How could this be happening? Just yesterday, they were celebrating her father, and now this?
Was this a plan set up by the board?
She felt sick to her stomach as she stared at the screen. Her knees felt weak.
What was happening?
"This can't be real," she whispered.
She forced herself to speak through the panic clawing at her chest. "My phone...get me my phone from my room!" she ordered.
One of the maids rushed off to do as she had said, the tension in the room increasing as she waited for the maid to get back. Diana didn't move. Her eyes remained locked on the television as more headlines rolled in.
She tried to stay calm. Tried to believe this was some horrible mistake. Her father would clear this up. This would pass. It wasn't true. Her father was going to prove that he was innocent. All this would pass. She told herself that and tried her best to stay positive.
But what she didn't know…
Was that this was only the beginning.
The beginning of the end.