CHAPTER 1 — The Woman Everyone Wanted Gone
The old woman walked into the glittering ballroom wearing a faded gray coat that looked older than some of the guests attending the gala.
Her shoes were worn.
Her hands trembled slightly as she held an old canvas handbag against her chest.
Around her, crystal chandeliers sparkled.
Champagne glasses clinked.
Luxury brands flashed from every corner.
People immediately noticed she didn't belong.
A young hostess rushed over before the woman had even taken five steps.
"I'm sorry, ma'am."
"This event is invitation only."
The old woman smiled politely.
"I know."
"I was invited."
The hostess exchanged a glance with another employee before forcing a fake smile.
"I'm afraid there must be some mistake."
Several wealthy guests nearby stopped talking.
One businessman whispered loudly enough for everyone to hear.
"Who invited someone's grandmother from the homeless shelter?"
The crowd laughed.
The old woman simply lowered her eyes.
"I only came because someone asked me to."
Another woman wearing diamonds worth more than a house folded her arms.
"And who exactly invited you?"
The old woman reached into her handbag.
Everyone expected her to pull out a crumpled invitation.
Instead...
She pulled out an old black-and-white photograph.
The picture showed a smiling young woman holding a little boy in front of a tiny grocery store.
No one understood.
More laughter erupted.
The hostess sighed impatiently.
"Ma'am... this isn't a museum."
"You need to leave."
Before security could escort her away, the old woman quietly whispered,
"I've waited thirty-five years."
"I can wait another five minutes."
The sentence made no sense.
But something about the way she said it caused several older guests to fall strangely silent.
One elderly waiter looked at her face...
His eyes widened.
He almost dropped the tray in his hands.
He whispered to himself,
"No..."
"It can't be..."
At that exact moment...
Every television inside the ballroom switched to a live broadcast.
The company's new billionaire CEO had just arrived.
No one realized...
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His first stop wouldn't be the stage.
It would be straight toward the old woman everyone had just humiliated.
