Chapter 5
The grand foyer was deserted. Just me, Theo, and the heavy double doors of the main banquet hall.
Above the doors, a massive screen broadcast the live feed from the stage inside.
Nolan walked down the red carpet with Iris Bell. Untouchable. Arrogant. Perfectly at ease.
Iris stood under the spotlight, wearing my mother's vintage silk. Clutching my foundation speech.
"Thank you, Nolan, for giving me this status," she whispered into the microphone. Fake tears glistened under the stage lights.
Nolan smiled, fully accepting her claim as the new lady of the foundation.
Behind them, the giant screen flickered. My name was wiped away. In its place, massive bold letters flashed: Iris Bell — Future Lady of Reed Foundation.
I didn't feel rage. I felt like an executioner watching a man tie his own noose.
Beside me, Theo Vale slowly adjusted his custom diamond cufflinks. His gaze was steady, sharp, and cold.
"Ready?" Theo asked, his voice low and magnetic.
"More than ready," I smiled.
Theo gave a single, cold signal to the event manager by the doors. All the blood drained from the manager's face. His hands shook violently as he muttered into his walkie-talkie.
Inside the hall, the music abruptly cut off.
"Wait... wait a moment," the host stuttered over the speakers. He stared at the emergency VIP update card in his trembling hand, his face losing all its color. "We have an... an unexpected arrival."
The banquet hall went dead silent.
I placed my hand on the heavy brass handle. I could feel the vibrations of the silence inside.
Theo stepped forward and offered me his arm. I took it, my spine perfectly straight.
I wasn't here to mourn the past. I was here to take back everything they had tried to steal.
"Together?" Theo asked, a slight, encouraging nod.
"Together," I replied.
The security guards pulled the handles. The heavy doors creaked open, spilling the blinding lights of the banquet hall into the foyer.
Nolan stood on the stage, laughing at something Iris had just said. He hadn't seen us yet.
He expected his 'obedient' wife to be cowering at a side table.
He didn't expect the music to stop.
I took the first step forward.