Chapter 5 - The Gala of Glass
Saturday night arrived, cloaking the city in rain, but inside the Grand Ballroom of the Plaza Hotel, it was a world of blinding crystal chandeliers and flowing champagne.
The Whitmore Foundation Charity Gala was the social event of the season. Governors, tech moguls, and old-money aristocrats mingled in tuxedos and couture gowns.
I stood on the mezzanine balcony, looking down at the glittering crowd. I wore a simple but elegant emerald gown, my silver hair pinned up flawlessly. I felt a million miles away from the wet, humiliated housekeeper I had been days ago.
Daniel stood beside me. He looked handsome in his tuxedo, but his jaw was tight, his eyes scanning the room with dread. We had not told him about Thomas's findings yet. I needed Daniel's anxiety to look genuine to sell the illusion to the Vances.
Suddenly, a ripple went through the crowd near the entrance. The paparazzi flashes erupted like a lightning storm.
Vanessa had arrived.
She wore a blood-red gown that seemed designed to steal every ounce of oxygen in the room. On her finger, the enormous Whitmore family diamond ring caught the flashbulbs, sparkling aggressively. Beside her was her father, Arthur Vance, a tall, imposing man with cold, dead eyes and a fake, politician’s smile.
“Right on cue,” I murmured.
Daniel stiffened as Vanessa spotted us. She didn't hesitate. She marched straight up the sweeping staircase, her father trailing closely behind.
“Daniel, darling!” Vanessa cooed loudly, ensuring the nearby reporters could hear her. She threw her arms around my stiff son, kissing him aggressively on the cheek. “I missed you so much this week! Wedding planning is just exhausting.”
She turned to me, her eyes flashing with a silent, mocking victory. “Eleanor. You look... well. I'm surprised you had the energy to host tonight. Age catches up to us all, doesn't it?”
“I have more energy than you can possibly imagine, Vanessa,” I replied smoothly, taking a sip of my sparkling water.
Arthur Vance stepped forward, extending a hand to Daniel. “Daniel, my boy. Outstanding event. The press is going to love the optics of our families united here tonight. Just a taste of the success our merger will bring next week.”
Daniel shook his hand reluctantly. “Mr. Vance. Thank you for coming.”
Arthur leaned in close to Daniel, his smile never wavering, but his voice dropping to a menacing gravel. “Sign the final papers on Monday, Daniel. Don't make me destroy a legacy as fine as this one. My daughter gets what she wants.”
Before Daniel could reply, the ballroom chimes rang out, signaling that it was time for the keynote speech.
Vanessa leaned close to my ear, her perfume as suffocating as it had been in my foyer.
“Enjoy your little party, Eleanor,” she whispered venomously. “Because after the wedding, I'm putting you in a nursing home, and I'm firing every single one of your pathetic staff. Starting with that worthless manager, Rosa.”
I didn't flinch. I didn't scowl. I simply turned my head, looked her dead in the eyes, and smiled.
“We shall see about that, Vanessa,” I said softly.
May you like
I turned and walked gracefully down the stairs toward the main stage, the spotlight tracking my every move. The room fell silent as I approached the microphone.
It was time to shatter the glass.
