Page 46 of The Alpha's Crimson Vow

Chapter Thirteen

Katherine

The gala feels different tonight. Not just because my heart is thundering in my chest, or because the stakes are so high that every moment feels like a countdown to disaster, or even because the fate of Pinnacle Group—and my career—rests on the razor’s edge of tonight’s success.

No, it’s different because itlooksdifferent. The hall, which once glittered with opulence and energy, feels smaller, quieter. The usual flood of sharp black tuxedos and sleek backless dresses is replaced by a modest number now. Tonight, the emptiness is almost deafening.

I glance around at the thinning crowd, my eyes scanning for familiar faces. Frank is here, of course, along with the other board members, and Uncle Lawrence stands with the rest of the family elders, all of them still managing to bring dates. That’s what they do, even in the worst of times—cling to their rituals, show off their partners like they’re trophies. It shouldn’t bother me.

But it does.

It sends an ache straight through my chest, sharp and cold. It’s not because I envy them and it certainly isn’t because I miss Alex—not really. It’s what his memory represents. His betrayal. His manipulation. The way he made me feel things I’ve never allowed myself to feel before, only to pull the rug out from under me. Seeing these couples tonight, smiling and chatting, only reminds me of how stupid I was to believe in him, how ridiculous I must have looked when I smiled and chatted away with him for months.

For weeks, after I found out, I’d sit at my desk long after the workday ended, at the hour we would usually have those late night dinners, staring at my office door as though I could will him to walk through it. Part of me hoped for an explanation, some kind of… I don’t know, reason? Something to make it all make sense. Maybe he’d say it wasn’t him, that he was framed or blackmailed or had some kind of mental break. Anything to justify what he told me that day.

But the cold, undeniable truth? It was him. He played me. Used me. And I let him.

I drag my thoughts back to the present, forcing my focus onto the task at hand. There’s no room for self pity tonight. No room for distractions.

“Ms. Lockhart.”

The voice behind me pulls me out of my spiral. I turn to see the MC standing a few feet away, a clipboard in his hand and an uncertain expression on his face.

“I think you can give your speech now,” he says carefully, hesitating before adding, “I’m not sure if we’ll be expecting any more guests tonight.”

His words land like a weight in my stomach, even though I knew this was coming. The people I called—friends, colleagues, investors—they didn’t show. I’d spent hours this week dialing every number in my phone, reaching out to anyone who might still have some faith in Pinnacle Group, anyone who could be convinced to come tonight. Politicians, business moguls, former allies—hell, even old acquaintances I haven’t spoken to in years.

The responses were lukewarm at best. Most didn’t even bother to hide their doubt, their skepticism dripping from every polite excuse they gave. And honestly, who can blame them. All the business blogs and news media have been talking about theimpending bankruptcy of the company, from a pure business perspective, it’s hard to convince anyone to have anything to do with Pinnacle Group now. It felt like begging people to board the Titanic as it was already sinking.

And then there was Alice.

I hated calling her. She’s my best friend, and I’ve always tried to avoid dragging her into things like these. She’s a literal queen, for crying out loud—she has enough responsibilities without me dumping my mess on her.

But desperation makes you do things you hate. I called her anyway, knowing she’d probably say yes because that’s the kind of person she is.

Except she wasn’t available. Some royal guard answered the phone to tell me she was busy with royal duties, it was only then that I remembered that she’d told me months ago she’d be busy during this time. I’d forgotten.]

I glance back at the MC and nod, managing a faint smile. “Thanks,” I say, keeping my voice steady.

He nods politely and turns to head toward the stage. I follow him, each step feeling heavier than the last as I approach the microphone.

The room feels impossibly vast as I climb onto the stage, the scattered guests looking up at me with varying degrees of interest. Some are waiting for a miracle. Others are just here for the spectacle of it all.

The microphone hums softly under my fingertips. My chest tightens. The rows of faces before me seem miles away, their expressions unreadable under the soft glow of the chandeliers. My throat feels dry, but I swallow hard and push past the knot forming there. This isn’t the time to falter.

“Good evening,” I begin, my voice steady, but quieter than I intend. The room doesn’t move—no murmurs, no nods. Just silence.

I adjust my stance slightly, gripping the edge of the podium. “I want to thank each of you for being here tonight. I know the past few months have been… difficult. For all of us. Pinnacle Group has stood tall for decades, weathering countless challenges, and I’m standing here today to assure you that we will stand tall again.”

My voice grows stronger.

“Right now,” I continue, “the headlines paint a grim picture of this company. You’ve all seen them. The talk of bankruptcy, the speculation about our future, the doubts about whether Pinnacle can survive this storm.” I pause, allowing my gaze to sweep across the room. A few eyes meet mine, but most look away, down at their glasses or the tablecloths, as though avoiding my words entirely.

“But I’m here to tell you that Pinnacle Group will survive,” I press on, the urgency in my tone sharpening. “This company was built on resilience. On innovation. On a vision that has driven us forward through every obstacle. And we’re still standing. We’re still here. Tonight, I’m asking you—our partners, our supporters, and our friends—to stand with us. To believe in us, as you always have.”

I glance down at my hands for a moment, steadying my breath. “I know it’s hard to see past the challenges in front of us, but I also know this: Pinnacle Group has faced challenges before. And we’ve overcome them. Not just because of our business strategy or our numbers, but because of the people behind those numbers. Because of you.”

I lean in slightly, my voice softening but still firm. “Right now, we need you. Not just as investors, but as partners who believein the future we can create together. This isn’t just about weathering the storm. This is about using the storm to rebuild stronger, to reach greater heights. Together, we can do this.”

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