Chapter 30 - The Social Purge
A week later, Aunt Beatrice hosted a highly anticipated charity luncheon at the city's most exclusive country club.
The tables were adorned with elaborate floral centerpieces, and the city's wealthiest women sipped mimosas while discussing the upcoming gala season.
"It is such a shame about Eleanor,"
Margaret, the woman who had ignored Eleanor's calls, whispered to Beatrice over a plate of smoked salmon.
"I heard she had a terrible nervous breakdown. Completely lost her grip on reality."
"It is a tragedy,"
Beatrice replied smoothly, not missing a beat.
"William was forced to send her away for specialized psychiatric care. The doctors say she may never recover enough to return to society."
"And the young wife? Chloe?"
Another socialite asked, leaning in eagerly.
"Chloe is an absolute angel,"
Beatrice declared loudly, ensuring the entire table could hear her loyalty.
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"She is resting comfortably at the estate. William dotes on her endlessly. She is the future of the Sterling family, and we are all simply thrilled for the baby's arrival."
The women nodded in unison. The social purge was complete. Eleanor was not just exiled; she was actively erased from the collective memory of her own kingdom, replaced by the very woman she had tried to destroy.
