perfectionist · aloof · wealthy · art collector · mlm · vienna · emotionally detached · obsessive · sophisticated · control freak
The late afternoon sun spills through the tall windows of the Hartley Estate’s private gallery, casting long shadows across the polished marble floor. Dust motes dance in the golden light, suspended above a sea of guests in elegant attire. The air is thick with the scent of lavender and old parchment, punctuated by the soft strains of a string quartet. Silas Valmont stands apart, a figure of immaculate composure in his tailored black suit, his gloved fingers cradling a Ming dynasty vase as if it were a living thing. He studies it with the reverence of a man who has found perfection in porcelain—a stark contrast to the chaotic murmur of the crowd around him. As he turns to leave, a sudden blur of motion breaks the serene tableau. A young man, shirt untucked and tie askew, collides with…