Chapter 7 - The Christmas Eve Gala Invitation and the Trap Set in Silk and Diamonds
The annual Chicago Architectural & Heritage Society Christmas Eve Gala was the social event of the winter season. Held in the breathtaking Grand Ballroom of the Palmer House Hilton, it brought together the city’s most influential developers, city council members, judges, and high-society patrons.
It was also the venue where Mayor-elect Thomas Sterling would officially announce the lead architectural firm for the $45-million Sterling Heights Urban Renewal Project.
On the morning of December 24th, Daniel arrived home around noon, carrying a garment bag from an upscale boutique on Oak Street. He looked euphoric, his eyes practically sparkling with the intoxicating scent of imminent triumph.
“Emily!” he called out, finding me in the living room where I was calmly wrapping empty decorative boxes under the tree. “Look what I picked up for you for tonight!”
He unzipped the bag with a flourish, revealing a modest, high-necked charcoal gray evening gown. It was elegant, but intentionally conservative—designed to make me blend completely into the background, a dutiful, quiet corporate wife standing in the shadows of her brilliant husband.
“I know how much you hate standing out in large crowds,” Daniel said with that patronizing, slick smile of his. “I had my stylist pick it out. It’s understated. Perfect for you.”
I ran my fingers over the fabric, looking up at him with wide, appreciative eyes. “Thank you, Daniel. It’s so... thoughtful of you to manage my wardrobe.”
“Only the best for my wife,” he replied smoothly, leaning down to plant a hollow kiss on my cheek. “Tonight is going to change our lives forever, Em. Once the Mayor announces Bennett Architecture as the lead firm, we’re entering an entirely new tax bracket.”
“Are you bringing any of the firm’s consultants tonight?” I asked innocently.
Daniel paused, clearing his throat and adjusting his watch. “Well, yes. Vanessa will be attending. As our PR coordinator, it’s vital she’s on hand to manage the press release once the announcement is made. I got her a seat at the secondary corporate table near the media riser.”
A secondary table. He was still lying to the very end, hiding the fact that he had secretly upgraded Vanessa’s ticket to the Bennett Family VIP table three days ago.
“That makes complete sense,” I said, offering him another dazzling, placid smile. “A successful man needs all his partners close by.”
After Daniel went upstairs to shower, I walked into the guest suite where Margaret was waiting. Laid out on the bed was the dress Margaret had secretly commissioned for me three days prior from a private atelier on Michigan Avenue.
It was a show-stopping, backless crimson silk gown that draped like liquid fire over my silhouette, paired with a pair of diamond teardrop earrings loaned directly from Margaret’s private safe.
May you like
Margaret looked at the dress, then looked at me, a fierce, triumphant smile playing on her lips.
“Tonight, Emily,” Margaret said, fastening the diamond earrings onto my ears, “you don't wear the gray of a victim. You wear the red of a conqueror.”
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