The ballroom shimmered with light, crystal chandeliers scattering gold across polished marble.
A low hum of voices filled the air—executives, jewelers, socialites, all gathered beneath banners embroidered with a single emblem: the host company's crest, a serpent circling a sapphire.
Gabriel adjusted his cufflinks, keeping close to Richard Montgomery.
Mr. Montgomery stood with the weight of his years in leadership—calm, immovable, a man who had built Gemini into something people whispered about with respect.
Gabriel could feel the unspoken gravity in the way other guests glanced their way, subtle nods of recognition following Richard wherever he moved.
The MC tapped the microphone, drawing the room into silence.
"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome. Tonight, we celebrate not just craftsmanship, but history itself. The unveiling of La Stella del Mare—a necklace born from the deepest sapphire mines, crafted with precision beyond compare."
Polite applause rippled through the crowd.
