Chapter 2 - The Ring Called Celestine
Victoria’s diamond ring arrived twelve days before the dinner.
It came inside a dark blue box carried by a private jeweler and accompanied by two security guards.
The ring was known as the Celestine Diamond. Its central stone was surrounded by smaller blue diamonds and had once belonged to a European countess. According to the jeweler, it was worth nearly two million dollars.
Victoria purchased it to wear at the dinner.
“The guests need to understand that Ashford Hotels remains powerful,” she told her business manager.
Elena heard the comment while arranging flowers in the adjoining room.
The ring was not jewelry. It was a message.
That afternoon, Victoria summoned Sophie to her bedroom.
Elena was cleaning the hallway and could hear their voices through the partly open door.
“You will wear the champagne gown,” Victoria said.
“I hate that dress.”
“It photographs well.”
“I am not one of your hotel advertisements.”
“You will stand beside me during the investor announcement.”
Sophie’s voice grew sharper.
“So people can pretend we are a happy family?”
“This is not about happiness. It is about responsibility.”
“To whom?”
“To your name.”
Sophie walked out of the bedroom and nearly collided with Elena.
Her eyes were wet, but she lifted her chin.
“Did you hear everything?”
Elena chose honesty.
“Enough.”
“You probably think I am ungrateful.”
“I think you are angry.”
“That is a polite word for it.”
Sophie looked back toward the bedroom.
“She remembers every guest’s favorite wine. She remembers every investor’s birthday. Last year, she forgot mine.”
Elena did not know what to say.
Sophie noticed the sympathy in her face.
“Do not feel sorry for me. I have money. That means I am not allowed to be unhappy.”
“No,” Elena said. “It means people may refuse to believe you are unhappy.”
Sophie studied her.
For a moment, something softened between them.
Then Victoria called Elena into the bedroom.
The Celestine Diamond lay on a velvet cushion near the dressing table.
Victoria pointed toward the bedroom door.
“The lock must be checked before the dinner.”
“Daniel inspected it last month.”
“Inspect it again.”
“Yes, Mrs. Ashford.”
“And no one enters this room unless I approve it.”
Elena looked at the ring.
Its beauty was almost aggressive. It caught every trace of light and returned it brighter.
Victoria closed the box.
“I know people become careless around valuable things.”
Elena felt the warning hidden inside the statement.
“I have worked here for three years.”
“I know.”
“Have I ever taken anything?”
Victoria’s gaze remained calm.
“No. That is why you still have access.”
The words followed Elena down the hallway.
That evening, Sophie found Elena in the laundry room.
“My mother showed you the ring, did she not?”
“Yes.”
“She loves it more than she loves most people.”
“That is not fair.”
Sophie gave her a tired smile.
“You are still defending her.”
“I am trying not to judge someone when she is not here.”
“My mother judges everyone whether they are present or not.”
Sophie leaned against the doorway.
“She thinks the dinner will repair the company’s reputation.”
Elena had heard rumors about problems within Ashford Hotels. Several employees had accused management of unpaid overtime and unsafe working conditions. Victoria publicly dismissed the allegations as exaggerations.
“She thinks one ring and one beautiful party can make people forget,” Sophie continued.
“Will it?”
“For people like her guests? Probably.”
Sophie looked toward the ceiling.
“Sometimes I want to ruin one perfect thing just so she has to look at what is underneath.”
Elena paused while folding a sheet.
“Be careful what you ruin. It may belong to someone who never hurt you.”
Sophie’s expression changed.
May you like
She nodded once and left.
Elena returned to the laundry, unaware that her warning had arrived too late.
