Chapter 16 - The Uninvited Guest at the GalaSix months later, Vance Global hosted its annual charity gala at the grand metropolitan opera house—a glittering event celebrating our foundation's milestone of helping over one thousand women escape abusive corporate and domestic situations.
I wore a breathtaking, custom-tailored emerald silk gown that commanded the entire room, my hair styled in sleek, elegant waves. As I mingled with international dignitaries, politicians, and business partners alongside Marcus, the ballroom buzzed with vibrant energy.
Then, the heavy oak doors at the grand entrance swung open with a sharp bang.
A murmur rippled through the crowd. All heads turned toward the foyer. A woman stood there, flanked by two private security guards—a woman dressed in an expensive designer gown, her face flushed with alcohol and desperate fury.
Beatrice Vance. Julian’s mother.
For years, Beatrice had treated me like hired help, publicly mocking my background and cheering on Julian's arrogance while whispering behind my back at every high-society gathering. She had spent the last year in self-imposed exile in Europe, refusing to accept that her golden boy had been dethroned.
Beatrice pushed past the security guard, her eyes locked onto me across the crowded ballroom, blazing with absolute venom.
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"You!" Beatrice shrieked, her voice cutting sharply through the orchestral background music. "You arrogant, scheming little gold-digger! You destroyed my son! You stole our family empire!"
The entire ballroom fell into absolute, suffocating silence. Hundreds of pairs of eyes darted between Beatrice and me.
