Chapter 2: The Mask of the Serpent
The reception hall felt like a courtroom as the reality settled in. Chloe stood frozen, her hand still raised from the shove, her face flushed with a mixture of embarrassment and defiant rage. "I didn't know," she muttered, trying to pivot her tone to something sweeter. "I mean, why was she dressed like that?"
Margaret Vance stood up, brushing off her uniform with a slow, deliberate grace. She didn't look angry; she looked disappointed—a far worse fate for a social climber. She looked at Julian, then at the guests, and finally, directly at Chloe.
"I came here to see who would be standing at my protégé’s side for the rest of his life," Margaret said, her voice steady and echoing through the hushed hall. "I wanted to see the woman who had captivated his heart. I suppose I have my answer."
Julian stood up, not even looking at Chloe. He signaled to the stage manager. The music stayed off. The lights stayed bright. There was no hiding this.
Chloe grabbed Julian’s arm, her nails digging in. "Julian, baby, let’s go to the bridal suite. We can talk about this. It was an accident! I was just stressed! Don't you dare embarrass me in front of them."
May you like
Julian pulled his arm away as if her skin burned him. "You’ve spent six months telling me how much you love me, Chloe. But you never cared about who I was. You only cared about the status. You treated the staff like garbage since the moment we got engaged. I was a fool to ignore it."
He walked over to the microphone, his voice amplified throughout the estate. "The wedding is canceled. Please, everyone, enjoy the dinner—it’s been paid for in full by Ms. Vance. But please, refrain from toasts. There’s nothing to celebrate."
