CHAPTER THIRTY SEVEN – A WILD PARTY

Clarissa's latest whim struck on a Friday evening, just as Cassius was leaving for a weekend business trip. "I'm throwing a party!" she announced, her eyes gleaming with excitement. Mara's heart sank. "Tonight? But Clarissa, we haven't prepared anything—" "That's what makes it fun, darling!" Clarissa trilled. "Spontaneity! Now, start making calls. I want this place filled with beautiful people in two hours!" As Clarissa flounced off to get ready, Mara scrambled to pull together a last-minute soirée. She called caterers, bartenders, and even a DJ, promising exorbitant rates for their immediate services. By some miracle, she managed to transform the mansion into a passable party venue just as the first guests began to arrive. At first, the evening seemed to be going smoothly. The champagne flowed freely, the music pulsed through the house, and Clarissa held court in the center of it all, reveling in the attention. But as the night wore on, things began to spiral out of control. The