Chapter 28 - The Gala Whispers
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The annual corporate philanthropy gala was held in the grand ballroom of the city’s largest hotel. As a senior executive of Parker Industrial and the public face of the recovery program, my attendance was mandatory. I wore a stunning, floor-length midnight blue gown that entirely covered my scar but highlighted the fierce, upright posture I had fought so hard to reclaim.
The room was packed with wealthy socialites, business leaders, and politicians. Many of them were people who used to attend the lavish, obnoxious dinner parties Colin had thrown when the Keystone restaurants were at their peak.
I stood near the open bar, sipping sparkling water, when a familiar face approached. It was Beatrice Vance, a woman who had once been incredibly close to Ashley Daniels.
“Emily, darling,” Beatrice purred, offering a fake, highly sympathetic smile. “It is so incredibly brave of you to show your face at these events. After everything the Daniels family put you through, the scandal, the absolute humiliation... I would have simply moved to Europe.”
Five years ago, a comment like that would have completely shattered my confidence. I would have felt the crushing weight of public pity and retreated to the nearest bathroom to hide.
I looked Beatrice directly in the eyes, my expression a mask of cold, polite steel.
“I have absolutely nothing to be humiliated about, Beatrice,” I replied smoothly, my voice carrying clearly over the music. “I survived a severe medical trauma, exposed a massive financial fraud, and built a recovery program that currently protects hundreds of vulnerable employees.”
Beatrice blinked, clearly taken aback by the absolute lack of shame in my response.
“Well, yes, of course,” she stammered, clutching her expensive clutch bag tightly. “It’s just... such a terrible tragedy.”
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“It was a tragedy for them,” I corrected sharply, offering a brilliant, terrifying smile. “Because they lost their restaurants, their freedom, and their reputations. I simply lost a massive amount of dead weight. Now, if you will excuse me, I have actual philanthropists to speak with.”
I turned and walked away, my spine perfectly straight, leaving the whispers completely dead in my wake.
