Chapter 8
"Frank, have the invitations for next month's chamber of commerce annual meeting been sent out yet?" I asked.
"Yes, they have. Are you planning to attend?" Frank replied.
"Yes, I'll be there," I said.
"Edward's invitation was sent out too, addressed to him as Chairman Grant," Frank added.
"Whatever, just let him be," I replied.
"Ms. Harrington," Frank started.
"Yeah?" I replied.
"Are you planning to?" he asked.
"We'll see when the time comes," I said.
I closed my laptop.
Some things just fall into place when the time is right.
*****
Vivian finally made her move.
She reserved three tables at the Shangri-La Hotel as "Mrs. Grant" and sent invitations to the Capital City Ladies Circle.
I had no idea how she got their contact info, but I figured she must've dug it up from Edward's old address book.
Frank showed me the list, and I counted fifteen names.
Eight of them were the wives of Evelyn Holdings' business partners. Three were my personal friends.
The other four had left the Capital City Ladies Circle a long time ago.
"Does she even know how these people are connected to you?" Frank asked.
"She has no idea who I really am. In her eyes, I'm just Edward's ex-wife from Southside Residences," I replied.
"Do you think any of them will actually show up?" Frank asked.
"Some of them will, for sure. When it comes to curiosity, it always wins over saving face," I replied.
Sure enough, nine people showed up that night.
Uncle Bert filled me in on all the details afterward.
Vivian had gone all out, showing up in a Chanel suit and a Cartier necklace, her prized collection from Hudson Portus.
"Hello, ladies. I'm Vivian Woods, Edward's wife. Please go easy on me from now on," she said.
As soon as she said that, an awkward silence fell over the room.
The ladies exchanged glances.
Mrs. Ashford was the first to break the silence. "Ms. Woods, I remember Edward's wife was?"
"That was Evelyn," Vivian jumped in with a smile. "But she and Edward are divorced now. Maybe you hadn't heard."
Mrs. Ashford gave a noncommittal "Oh."
But Mrs. Stone cut in, "So, how's Evelyn doing? Is she here tonight?"
Vivian looked momentarily taken aback. "She wasn't invited."
Mrs. Stone nodded, grabbed her bag, and stood up. "Enjoy your meal, Ms. Woods. I'm going to check on Evelyn. She hasn't been feeling well lately."
With that, she walked out.
Two more ladies followed her out.
Vivian's smile started to falter.
The rest of the ladies kept their distance the whole time. They were polite, but never really warming up to her.
When it came time to pay, Vivian swiped her card for 22,667 dollars.
Most of them left before the meal was even halfway done, and the dishes barely got touched.
"22,667 dollars for an awkward dinner," Frank said, his face hard to read, caught somewhere between amusement and disbelief.
"Did those three ladies who came to see me arrive?" I asked.
"Yeah, they're downstairs waiting. Should I have them come up?" Frank replied.
"Please, have them come up," I said.
Mrs. Stone, Mrs. Ashford, and Mrs. Zane came up together.
As soon as Mrs. Stone walked in, she gave me a hug. "Evelyn! You've gotten so skinny!"
"I've always been skinny," I replied.
"I heard you haven't been feeling well?" she asked.
"It's nothing, just the same old problem," I replied.
Mrs. Zane looked around my small living room. "Evelyn, how come you're living here?"