PART 1 — THE OWNER OF THE VENUE
1 — THE OWNER OF THE VENUE
Not a single person in the ballroom breathed.
The venue manager remained bowed before Clara Mason, his hands respectfully presenting the leather portfolio.
"Madam, the legal transfer has been completed exactly as you instructed."
Clara accepted the folder without even glancing at Patricia.
Instead, she calmly opened the contract and placed it on one of the reception tables.
The gold seal shimmered beneath the crystal chandeliers.
Owner of Rosewood Grand Estate: Clara Elizabeth Mason.
Gasps rippled across the ballroom.
Andrew grabbed the papers.
"This... this can't be real."
"It is," the venue manager answered quietly.
"The purchase was finalized four months ago."
Patricia laughed nervously.
"She's bluffing."
The manager looked toward her.
"Mrs. Whitlock... beginning today, every employee in this building works for Miss Mason."
Silence.
Even the violinists had stopped playing.
Andrew slowly looked around the ballroom.
Every server.
Every security guard.
Every event coordinator.
Every one of them was now looking at Clara—not him.
Patricia stepped closer.
"You planned this."
Clara finally smiled.
"No."
"I planned a wedding."
She gently lifted a torn piece of lace from the floor.
"You planned the humiliation."
She folded the ruined fabric carefully into her hands.
"This dress took me six months."
"I stitched every bead myself."
"I embroidered every flower."
"My mother taught me before she passed away."
For the first time, several guests looked at the gown differently.
It wasn't expensive because of the designer.
It was priceless because it carried the last memory of Clara's mother.
Patricia suddenly looked far less confident.
"You can buy another dress."
Clara shook her head.
"No."
"You can replace silk."
"But you can never replace the hands that taught me to sew."
A heavy silence settled over the room.
Then the venue manager cleared his throat.
"Madam..."
"The second document is also ready."
Andrew frowned.
"What second document?"
Clara slowly removed another envelope.
May you like
This time...
It carried the Whitlock family name.
