CHAPTER 4
1625 Words
Three days after the Bianca debacle, Thea received a summons from the Vanderbilt mansion. No explanation. Just a time and a driver. She wondered why. Had Eleanor learned Bianca was back in town—or was this about great-grandchildren again?
She got to the sprawling estate in record time. Thea couldn’t help but marvel at the sight of the estate. No matter how often she had seen it, it still managed to awe her.
The mansion loomed at the end of the driveway like something out of a dynasty drama—cold and regal, soaked in old money and unspeakable power.
Tall columns guarded the front, serving as sentinels, and supported a balcony with ornate wrought-iron railings. The double doors, carved from mahogany, shimmered in the sunlight, giving it a golden hue, displaying a splendour worthy of emulation.
Inside, the foyer boasted a sweeping staircase that was split left and right, crystal chandeliers hung above like fallen stars, their light catching the gleam of the intricately inlaid tile design.
As Thea took it in, a butler gestured for her to follow. He led her into the grand living room where Eleanor sat on a plush, velvet couch, a cup of tea poised in her hand. At seventy, Eleanor radiated vitality—her eyes clear, her movement deliberate. Thea respected her, but she felt intimidated every time she was in her presence.
Eleanor looked up, gesturing for Thea to sit. “Hello, Thea. How have you been?”
“I’ve been well. And you?”
“Never better. You and Zachary—getting along, I hope?”
Thea hesitated. “ Uh…we’re trying.”
Eleanor arched an eyebrow. “Are you sure? Something seems—off.”
Thea had an inkling of what she meant. “You know Bianca’s back.”
“Of course, I do,” Eleanor said coolly, leaning back. “The real question is—what are you going to do about it?”
She wasn’t surprised. Eleanor was the most powerful woman in Casperia City. She had resources that could topple a nation. Finding out Bianca was in town was a piece of cake.
Thea exhaled. “There’s not much I can do. She’s tried to move in, but there’s only so much I can do to stop her.”
“Try harder,” Eleanor said flatly. “You are Mrs.Vanderbilt. Use that authority.”
“Only on paper,” she said dryly. “Zachary never fails to remind me of that fact.”
Eleanor took a sip and put the cup down. “You know, Thea, someday you’d have to learn to stand your ground. And not let any man, not even my grandson, bully you.”
She continued. “I know you have what it takes, or else I wouldn’t have chosen you to marry Zachary. I may act indifferent, but trust me, when I say that I’ve got your best interests at heart.”
Thea didn’t believe her. Eleanor’s goal was to protect the Vanderbilt fortune, and she was sure that Eleanor was capable of removing any obstacle that threatened it.
Silence settled between them like a blanket. Thea wondered how long more the conversation was going to take.
After a beat, Eleanor reached for an envelope. “There is a benefit on Saturday. I want you to attend—with Zachary. Public appearances matter, especially now.”
Thea took the envelope without looking at it. ”Does he know?”
“He does and he understands what’s at stake if he refuses.”
Thea rose. “Anything else?”
Eleanor’s eyes twinkled in mischief. “Yes. It’s been two years since the wedding. When will you be giving me great-grandchildren?”
There it was—the question she’d been dreading.
“That depends on Zachary,” Thea replied, her voice clipped. “At this rate, you might meet them in 5 years—give or take 9 months.”
And with that, she turned and left.
When she got outside, she exhaled the breath she hadn’t realized she was holding. Her heart pounded, but she grinned in delight. She punched the air. Damn right. Let Eleanor choke on that. But then she knew Eleanor would never leave it down. She was going to pay for that slight.
By the time she returned home, the sun had set. The house was empty. Zachary hadn’t returned since the incident with Bianca. She glanced at the invitation. The benefit was on Saturday. Two days.
She wondered if he’d show up.
He’d better. Eleanor wasn’t bluffing about what was at stake.
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Saturday arrived in the blink of an eye.
The benefit was held at the Pluto Conservatory, a stunning venue known for its old-world charm and discreet exclusivity. Thea stepped into the grand hall, dressed in a royal blue off-shoulder ball gown that hugged her bust and cascaded softly around her. Her hair was pulled back in a sleek ponytail adorned with silver clips. Silver earrings and bangles glinted in the light..
As she walked further into the hall, it was bathed in a warm, golden glow, courtesy of the chandeliers dripping in crystal. High-arched ceilings soared above, their murals depicting myths of power and legacy.
Silk-draped tables were arranged in careful symmetry, leaving a wide berth for distinguished guests to mingle around. Murmured greetings and the soft clinking of champagne glasses buzzed in the hall. A quartet played from a corner, its music delicate and tasteful.
Despite the elegance, Thea could feel the eyes. Staring, judging. She attended these events with Zachary occasionally, but it wasn’t her kind of scene. But now that she came alone, she could only imagine the gossip that would be making the rounds.
Then Zachary stepped into the hall, looking dapper. On his arm was Bianca. The din in the hall went up a notch with the paparazzi taking their pictures. Both were smiling and posing for the camera.
She stood rooted for a moment, her expression unreadable. Then she walked towards them, shoulders straight like a soldier on a mission.
They both spotted her, Zachary with a sheepish look on his face and Bianca with a scowl.
“It’s not what it looks like,” he murmured. “She just needed a ride.”
Thea’s lips curled slightly. “Oh, my mistake. Here I was thinking that my husband was publicly flaunting his ex-girlfriend.”
“Don’t make a scene,” he said, irritation slipping through. “We will discuss this at home.”
Thea ignored him and walked into the hall, Zachary trailing behind her. The event was to raise money for orphans. She donated a decent sum and made a few polite rounds before excusing herself.
On her way to the restroom, she ran into Bianca.
Thea ignored her and entered. When she stepped out, Bianca was waiting.
“Thea, wait up,” she called.
Thea kept walking.
Bianca quickened her pace and blocked her path. “I just want to talk.”
“You know that there’s nothing to talk about.”
“Please. Just hear me out.
Thea stopped. Her eyes said one minute—nothing more.
Bianca took the cue. “Dad’s been down about the last time you both spoke. He regrets what he did...”
Thea laughed, “Sure, he does. And that’s my business, how?”
Bianca opened her mouth, but Thea raised a finger, “ Don’t. I know what you’re playing at, and my answer is still no. Go tell him that.”
Bianca looked at Thea, her eyes filled with unshed tears, “I know things have been bad. But he’s still your father.”
“No, he’s not,” Thea’s voice turned cold. “He stopped being my father the day he brought you and your mother to MY mother’s funeral.”
She walked away without looking back.
Back in the hall, she picked up her purse and left without a word to Zachary.
When she got home, she peeled off her gown and slipped into her comfy PJs. She was heading to the kitchen when there was a knock at the door.
It was Bianca.
Thea rolled her eyes and sighed. “Now you’re just being a nuisance. What do you want?”
“I just came to pick something up for Zach,” Bianca said. “He got held up in a meeting and asked me to grab a document for him.”
Thea’s brow furrowed. Zachary barely stayed in the house. What document?
She stepped aside, reluctantly. “Fine, make it quick.”
She nodded and headed upstairs.
Suspicion itched at Thea’s skin. Bianca had never gotten upstairs before, so how did she know where Zachary’s office was?
After two minutes, Thea followed. The office was empty.
She turned towards the master bedroom.
There, Bianca stood, eyes gleaming as she scanned the room.
“This isn’t his office,” Thea said sharply. “What are you doing here?”
Bianca smirked. “Just admiring the room. I can already picture Zach and me on that bed.”
“Get out of my house!” Thea snapped.
Bianca didn’t flinch. “It won’t be for long.”
She turned and sauntered out. As she got to the staircase, she suddenly turned to Thea and said, “What do you think will happen if we both fall?”
She teetered off the stairs, playfully, mimicking a fall.
“What are you talking about?”
“Just wondering who Zach would save.”
And then, Bianca slipped. It happened so fast. Thea lunged, but they both went down, limbs tangling, panic catching in her throat. The last thing she heard before everything went dark was Zachary’s voice, panicked and desperate—“Bianca!”
- Writer
