Chapter 6 - The Mother-in-Law’s Public Humiliation
Wendy Vance couldn't bear the destruction of her pristine social standing. Seeing her son pinned down and her husband shattered, she unleashed all her venom on Flora.
“You scheming little viper!” Wendy screamed, lunging toward Flora with her manicured fingernails aimed at Flora’s face. “You plotted this! You seduced my son, brought your criminal brothers into our home, and destroyed our legacy! You are a cursed, low-class whore!”
Wendy didn't even make it two steps.
Leo intercepted her instantly, catching her wrists in mid-air with an iron grip that made her squeal in pain. He didn't squeeze hard enough to break bone, but the absolute force brought the older woman instantly to her knees.
“Watch your mouth when you speak to our sister,” Leo growled, his voice deep and vibrating with rage. “You’ve spent four years insulting her heritage. You think the Sterlings are low-class? Our grandfather founded the maritime channels this city relies on to survive. Your family builds concrete boxes. Know your place, old woman.”
Julian stepped beside Wendy, opening a fresh document. “Wendy Vance, formerly Wendy Kensington. Let’s talk about your charity foundation, ‘Hope for Tomorrow.’”
Wendy gasped, her eyes widening in sheer horror. “Don’t you dare!”
“Over the last five years, seventy-two percent of public donations made to the charity were redirected into your personal offshore accounts to fund your private shopping sprees in Paris and Milan,” Julian read aloud, ensuring every high-society guest in the room heard every single word. “The state attorney general has already suspended the foundation’s 501(c)(3) status. Tomorrow morning, your socialite peers will read all about it on the front page of every major newspaper.”
Guests in the ballroom began murmuring loudly. Several women who had donated millions to Wendy’s galas glared at her with pure disgust.
“You thief!” one prominent senator’s wife shouted. “I gave you half a million dollars for pediatric medical equipment last month!”
“I... it was an administrative error!” Wendy sobbed, pressing her face against the cold floor. “Arthur, tell them! Tell them it’s a mistake!”
Arthur Vance didn't utter a word. He stood utterly defeated, staring at the ruined remnants of his dynasty.
Noah raised his hand, signaling the tactical guards. “Clear the room. Every guest has three minutes to leave the property. Anyone who speaks to the press before my legal team releases the official statement will be investigated and audited by morning.”
May you like
Within ninety seconds, the fifty wealthy guests stampeded toward the exits, eager to flee the sinking ship of the Vance empire. Not a single person offered a word of comfort to Wendy, Arthur, or Isaac.
The ballroom was left empty, save for the broken Vance family, the disgraced mistress, Flora, and her five brothers.
