The day of the Grand Banquet finally arrived, the culmination of weeks of meticulous planning and tireless effort. The Steele mansion, usually a picture of quiet elegance, was now a whirlwind of activity, buzzing with excitement and anticipation.
Guests began arriving in droves, carriages lining the long driveway, their polished surfaces gleaming under the afternoon sun. The air was filled with the sounds of polite greetings, hushed whispers, and the clinking of glasses.
Lyra, the matriarch of the Steele family, dressed in an elegant gown that accentuated her curves, stood at the entrance, greeting each guest with a warm smile and a gracious welcome. She was the picture of poise and sophistication, the perfect hostess.