The annual Westhaven Charity Gala was one of those events that seemed to gather half the city beneath one roof.
It was being held at the Grand Sterling Hotel this year, and by the time Lina arrived, the entrance was already crowded with luxury cars, photographers and guests dressed for an evening designed to impress. The hotel itself had been transformed for the occasion. Crystal chandeliers cast warm light across the enormous ballroom, the polished floors reflected the movement of hundreds of guests, and tall arrangements of white flowers lined the entrance to the main hall.
Business leaders, entertainment executives, politicians, socialites and some of the biggest names in Westhaven's film and television industry had all received invitations.
It was the sort of event where everyone seemed to know everyone else, or at least wanted people to believe they did.
Lina stepped out of the car beside Alexander and immediately heard the familiar burst of camera shutters.
