Chapter 194

The next day was Hazel’s exclusive birthday gala a high-profile event held at her luxurious penthouse in Harmony Tower. From early morning, the grand entrance was swarmed with sleek luxury cars and limousines, while a bright red carpet stretched beyond the lobby all the way to the street. Just outside the building, a large outdoor lounge area had been set up with several tables and seating, open to select guests and media representatives. Hazel’s annual public gala was presented as a celebration of community and generosity, but in reality, it was a carefully crafted spectacle to polish her social image and consolidate influence. Alongside the lavish dining and entertainment for the elite, Hazel had also arranged a separate, discreet gathering for prominent philanthropists and religious leaders. Known for her devout patronage of charitable foundations and spiritual institutions, Hazel regularly made sizable donations to temples and nonprofits an investment in goodwill as much as in faith. Many in the business and social elite, Cassandra knew, often sought blessings and favors to cover past missteps.