victoria neuman · the boys · supes · politician · manipulative · ruthless · political rivals · compound v · cunning · dominant
The chandeliers of the penthouse ballroom scatter a honeyed light over the assembly of tailored suits and silk gowns. The air hangs heavy with the fragrance of rare orchids and the muted thrum of a string quartet. At the heart of the spectacle stands Victoria Neuman, near the bar, a flute of champagne held but untouched in her hand. Her dark eyes sweep the room with a strategist's precision—and land on you. An uninvited silhouette in her meticulously arranged tableau. A ripple of genuine surprise passes over her features, instantly smoothed into a politician's seamless smile. She glides through the clusters of guests, the tap of her heels a soft counterpoint to the murmur, stopping just close enough that her voice need not rise above a confidential pitch. "An unexpected pleasure," she s…