Chapter 4 - The Grand Charity Gala
Three weeks had passed since the morning breakfast disaster,
and the Chicago winter had set in with ruthless fury.
Tonight was the annual Bennett Enterprises Charity Gala,
the biggest event on the city’s high-society calendar.
The grand ballroom of the Drake Hotel was filled with crystal chandeliers,
overflowing champagne towers,
and the elite of Chicago society.
Daniel thought he had managed to patch things up with his father.
He had returned the embezzled funds,
apologized profusely,
and swore that his connection with Vanessa was completely severed.
He believed I was quietly preparing for a private separation,
unwilling to cause a scene in public.
He was utterly mistaken.
I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the suite,
adjusting the back of my floor-length emerald green gown.
The color was striking,
bold,
and completely uncharacteristic of the quiet,
submissive wife I had been for five years.
Margaret stepped up behind me,
fastening a vintage diamond necklace around my neck.
"This belonged to my grandmother,"
she said softly,
her eyes meeting mine in the reflection.
"She wore it when she took control of the family business."
"It suits you,
Emily."
"Thank you,
Margaret,"
I said,
touching the cool metal against my skin.
"Is everything ready?"
"The press is outside,"
she confirmed.
"The board of directors is seated at table one."
"And Daniel?"
"He arrived twenty minutes ago,"
she said,
a dark amusement playing on her lips.
"And he brought a date."
I turned around quickly.
"Vanessa?"
"She walked in through the side entrance,"
Margaret revealed.
"Daniel thinks he can keep her in the VIP lounge until the main dinner starts."
"He really is stupid,
isn't he?"
I asked,
shaking my head in disbelief.
"He is arrogant,"
Margaret corrected.
"Arrogant men always make the mistake of believing women are foolish."
We walked out of the suite and descended the grand staircase into the crowded ballroom.
The moment we entered,
heads turned.
Photographers snapped photos,
their flashes blinding the entryway.
I walked with my head held high,
a confident smile fixed on my face,
Margaret right by my side.
Daniel was standing near the bar,
holding a glass of scotch,
talking to two major investors.
When his eyes landed on me,
his breath caught in his throat.
He took in the dress,
the diamonds,
the radiant confidence I radiated,
and for a moment,
he looked completely spellbound.
He stepped away from the investors and walked toward me,
a warm smile plastered across his handsome face.
"Emily,"
he said,
reaching out to take my hand.
"You look stunning tonight."
I slid my hand away before he could touch me,
keeping my smile broad for the nearby cameras.
"Save it,
Daniel,"
I murmured under my breath.
"Where is she?"
His smile faltered,
his eyes darting around nervously.
"I don't know what you mean—"
"Don't lie to me in front of your board members,"
I warned,
my voice dripping with ice.
"Margaret told me she’s in the lounge."
Daniel leaned in close,
his voice a harsh whisper.
"She threatened to go to the press,
Emily!"
"She said if I didn't let her come tonight,
she would release private messages to the Chicago Tribune."
"I’m handling it!"
"You aren't handling anything,"
I replied,
looking past him toward the VIP section.
"Because I already talked to the press."
Daniel’s face drained of all color.
"What?"
"I gave them an exclusive,"
I said sweetly,
taking a glass of champagne from a passing waiter’s tray.
"A story about family values,
corporate integrity,
and sudden divorces."
"Emily,
no!"
he gasped,
grabbing my arm.
"You can't destroy my career!"
"You destroyed it yourself,"
I whispered,
May you like
leaning close so only he could hear.
"The moment you decided to treat your wife like a fool."
