The grand dining hall of the Van Alen mansion was a testament to the family’s immense wealth and storied history, exuding an aura of timeless elegance and opulence. As one stepped into the room, the eyes were immediately drawn upwards to an enormous crystal chandelier, a magnificent centerpiece hanging from the high ceiling. Each of its myriad facets caught and refracted the light, casting a mesmerizing dance of sparkling reflections across the expansive hall. The chandelier’s brilliance was matched only by the grandeur of the room itself.
The long dining table, stretching almost the entire length of the room, was an epitome of sophistication. It was covered with a pristine white cloth, so immaculately pressed that it seemed almost untouched by human hands. The cloth served as a flawless
