Skyscrapers and Starlight – The Dragon’s Daughter
By Lea von Löwenstein
Chapter 5: The Press Conference
Part 1: Pride Before the Fall
The Grand Ballroom of the Ritz-Carlton dripped with success and smugness. Camera flashes exploded like stars as James Harrison and Victoria Blackwood swept onto the stage, their matched Brioni suits screaming new money and ambition.
“Ladies and gentlemen of the press,” James’s voice boomed through the speakers, “today marks a historic moment in construction history.”
Victoria preened beside him, her diamond choker catching the light. “Harrison-Blackwood Construction is proud to announce our merger, and with it, the landmark Dubai Oasis Project—a $1.2 billion development that will revolutionize the Arabian skyline.”
The reporters leaned forward, dictaphones raised like weapons.
“This deal,” James continued, his smile sharp enough to cut glass, “represents the largest private development contract in Dubai’s history. Our innovative financing structure—”
Screens behind them filled with renderings of gleaming towers and artificial islands.
“—proves that vision, not old money, drives modern construction.” He smirked, the dig at Global Titan obvious. “Some companies rest on their laurels, hiding behind family names. But Harrison-Blackwood builds the future.”
Victoria stepped forward, her voice dripping honey. “The financing is already secured through our exclusive partnership with—”
A laugh cut through the room.
Not just any laugh—a single, rich, room-shaking sound that seemed to vibrate through the crystal chandeliers.
The cameras swiveled.
There, in the back of the room, Alexandra Chen-Drake stood in blood-red Chanel, her smile promising apocalypse.
Part 2: The Laughing Phoenix
Alexandra’s laughter rolled through the Ritz-Carlton’s Grand Ballroom like thunder before a storm, each note dripping with delicious malice. Camera flashes exploded as reporters swiveled between her and the increasingly pale couple on stage.
“Security!” Victoria’s voice cracked. “Remove this… this deranged woman!”
James grabbed the microphone. “Ladies and gentlemen, please ignore this sad attempt at disruption. This… person has been stalking our success with increasingly desperate—”
Alexandra’s laughter only deepened, tears of mirth streaming down her cheeks. “Oh, James. Sweet, stupid James.”
“You’re making a fool of yourself,” Victoria Blackwood spat, her diamond choker suddenly looking too tight. “Security!”
Two guards moved toward Alexandra, but her continued laughter made them hesitate. There was something unnerving about her joy, something predatory.
“Get her out!” James roared, his carefully crafted image cracking. “She’s just bitter about—”
“About what?” Alexandra finally spoke, her voice carrying effortlessly. “About your brilliant Dubai deal?” More laughter bubbled up. “Oh darling, I’m not bitter. I’m entertained.”
Reporters’ fingers flew across keyboards, cameras whirring.
“You know nothing about this deal!” Victoria’s face had turned an interesting shade of puce.
Alexandra wiped her eyes, still chuckling. “Actually, I know everything about it. Including its expiration date.”
The room went silent.
“Five days,” she announced, her smile widening. “At your lovely signing gala, you’ll learn exactly who’s been pulling your strings.” She turned to the press. “I’d keep those cameras ready. It’s going to be quite a show.”
“You’re delusional!” James’s knuckles were white on the podium. “The financing is locked in!”
“Is it?” Another ripple of laughter. “We’ll see about that. Won’t we… darling?”
The last word dripped with such venomous amusement that several reporters actually stepped back.
“Five days,” she repeated, turning toward the exit. “Don’t forget to wear something pretty for the cameras, Victoria. It’ll be your last party as a relevant name in construction.”
Her laughter echoed long after she’d gone, leaving chaos and clicking cameras in her wake.
Part 3: Aftershocks
The Ritz-Carlton’s service exit opened to a private courtyard where Marcus waited, leaning against his Aston Martin. His eyes widened at Alexandra’s expression—she was practically glowing, tremors of laughter still shaking her shoulders.
“From that face,” he drawled, opening the car door, “I’d say someone just watched their enemies’ souls leave their bodies.”
She collapsed into the leather seat, finally letting the full force of her giggles escape. “Did you see their faces? When I mentioned the gala?” She wiped tears from her eyes, careful not to smudge her perfect makeup. “I thought Victoria’s choker was going to strangle her.”
Marcus slid into the driver’s seat, his own lips twitching. “The press is going insane. #DubaiDrama is already trending.”
“Just wait.” She pulled out her phone, showing him a cascade of banking alerts. “Right now, James is probably calling every contact he has, trying to verify his ‘locked in’ financing.”
“Which you control?”
“Which doesn’t exist anymore.” Her laughter softened to a purr. “Five days of watching him squirm, calling in favors, burning bridges… and then—”
“Total destruction at his own party?” Marcus started the engine, its rumble matching his chuckle. “You’re absolutely terrifying.”
She reached across the console, fingers trailing along his jaw. “Scared?”
“Intrigued.” He caught her hand, pressing a kiss to her palm. “Though I have to ask—how exactly are we getting into this gala? I doubt we’re on the guest list.”
Alexandra’s smile turned wicked. “Oh, husband. Haven’t you learned?” She showed him her phone screen—two VIP invitations glowing. “I own the venue.”
The Aston Martin purred through Manhattan’s twilight, carrying them toward their next act of elegant devastation. In the rearview mirror, they could see reporters spilling onto the street, headlines already forming:
MYSTERY WOMAN THREATENS DUBAI DEAL
HARRISON-BLACKWOOD MERGER FACES CRYPTIC WARNING
WHO IS THE LAUGHING LADY IN RED?
“Five days,” Alexandra whispered, watching the city lights blur past. “Just five days until they learn exactly who they tried to break.”
Marcus’s hand found hers in the gathering dark. “I almost feel sorry for them.”
Her answering laugh promised beautiful destruction.
