Chapter 3 Behind Closed Doors
1182 Words
Chloe's POV
The Harrison Mansion was buzzing with activity.
Servants hurried through the hallways carrying flower arrangements, expensive wine, and trays of appetizers. The grand welcome dinner for Vincent Harrison was only a few hours away, and Grace Harrison wanted everything to be flawless.
As usual, Chloe was the one overseeing most of the preparations.
She stood in the ballroom, checking the table arrangements for the third time when a sharp voice interrupted her thoughts.
"Those flowers are uneven."
Chloe didn't need to turn around to know who it was.
Grace Harrison.
Immediately, everyone nearby became tense.
Chloe forced a smile.
"I'll have them adjusted."
Grace walked closer, her eyes scanning the room critically.
"They should have been adjusted before I saw them."
"I'm sorry."
Grace sighed dramatically.
"Honestly, Chloe, after five years in this family, I expected better."
The familiar sting settled in Chloe's chest.
No matter what she did, it was never enough.
Never.
Grace turned toward one of the servants.
"Fix this immediately."
The servant nodded nervously.
Without another word, Grace walked away.
The moment she disappeared, several employees exchanged sympathetic looks.
One elderly housekeeper approached Chloe.
"Don't let her words upset you, Mrs. Harrison."
Chloe smiled softly.
"I'm fine."
The woman clearly didn't believe her.
Neither did Chloe.
A few hours later, Chloe returned to her room to prepare for the dinner.
The enormous bedroom felt cold despite its luxury.
The walls were decorated with expensive artwork.
The furniture cost more than most people's homes.
Yet none of it felt like hers.
Nothing in the room reflected who she was.
Not even her marriage.
She stood before her closet and selected a simple but elegant navy-blue gown.
Grace had repeatedly criticized her fashion choices over the years.
Too simple.
Too ordinary.
Too common.
Tonight, Chloe didn't care.
No dress in the world would change how the Harrison family viewed her.
As she adjusted her earrings, the bedroom door suddenly opened.
Dominic entered.
Chloe's heart skipped a beat.
That reaction frustrated her.
After three years of neglect, she still couldn't stop hoping for his attention.
Dominic loosened his tie as he crossed the room.
He barely acknowledged her presence.
"You're attending the dinner?"
Chloe blinked.
"Of course."
Dominic finally looked at her.
His expression remained indifferent.
"Mom doesn't want any mistakes tonight."
The excitement she had briefly felt vanished.
Of course.
He wasn't here to talk to her.
Or spend time with her.
Or even ask how she was doing.
He was here to deliver a warning.
"I understand."
Dominic nodded.
Then walked toward the bathroom.
The conversation was over.
Just like that.
Chloe stared at his reflection in the mirror.
Sometimes she wondered if marrying Dominic had been the biggest mistake of her life.
She loved him once.
Maybe part of her still did.
But love wasn't supposed to feel like this.
Love wasn't supposed to be lonely.
An hour later, guests began arriving.
Luxury vehicles filled the driveway.
Business tycoons.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
Socialites.
Some of the most influential people in Harlow City entered the mansion.
The ballroom quickly became crowded.
Laughter echoed throughout the room.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated every corner.
Champagne flowed freely.
Everyone was celebrating Vincent's return.
Chloe stood quietly near one of the tables.
She felt completely out of place.
As usual.
Several guests greeted her politely, but many barely acknowledged her existence.
To them, she wasn't truly a Harrison.
She was merely the orphan girl who got lucky.
At least that was what they believed.
Suddenly, a familiar voice spoke beside her.
"You look beautiful tonight."
Chloe turned.
Vincent.
For a second, she forgot how to breathe.
He looked incredibly handsome in his black suit.
Confidence.
Charming.
Yet unlike many wealthy men, there was warmth in his eyes.
Something genuine.
Chloe smiled.
"Thank you."
Vincent studied her carefully.
"You seem tired."
She laughed softly.
"Is it that obvious?"
"Only to someone paying attention."
The statement caught her off guard.
Because nobody paid attention.
Not anymore.
Not in this family.
For a moment, neither spoke.
Then Vincent smiled.
"I'm glad you're here."
The simple words touched her more than they should have.
Before she could respond, Olivia appeared.
"There you are!"
She grabbed Vincent's arm.
"Everyone wants to meet the famous lawyer."
Vincent rolled his eyes.
"I'll survive."
Olivia pulled him away.
As he left, Vincent glanced back toward Chloe.
A small smile lingered on his face.
For the first time that day, Chloe found herself smiling too.
Across the ballroom, Sarah Prescott watched the interaction carefully.
Her eyes narrowed.
She stood beside Dominic.
"Interesting."
Dominic took a sip of his drink.
"What is?"
Sarah nodded toward Chloe and Vincent.
"Your wife and your brother seem comfortable together."
Dominic's gaze shifted across the room.
His expression darkened slightly.
"They were friends before he left."
Sarah smirked.
"Friends."
Something about her tone annoyed him.
Dominic couldn't explain why.
After all, Chloe's life was none of his concern.
At least that was what he constantly told himself.
Yet seeing Vincent talking to her bothered him.
For reasons he couldn't understand.
Meanwhile, on the upper floor of the mansion, Zoey Wilson stood near a hallway window.
Unlike the guests downstairs, she wasn't interested in the celebration.
Her attention remained fixed on her laptop screen.
Several confidential company files were open.
Financial reports.
Business contracts.
Private information belonging to Harrison Group.
A faint smile appeared on her face.
Everything was proceeding exactly as planned.
For years she had patiently waited.
For years she had earned the Harrison family's trust.
For years she had hidden behind the mask of a loyal employee.
Soon none of it would matter.
Very soon.
The Harrison Empire would begin to crumble.
And when it happened, she would enjoy every second of it.
Her phone vibrated.
A message appeared.
The competitors received the files.
Zoey smiled.
Then typed a simple response.
Good. Continue.
She closed the laptop and headed downstairs.
No one noticed her.
No one suspected her.
That was exactly how she wanted it.
Back in the ballroom, Grace tapped her champagne glass.
The room gradually became silent.
All eyes turned toward her.
Grace smiled proudly.
"Thank you all for joining us tonight."
Polite applause followed.
"Our family is delighted to welcome Vincent Harrison home after his successful law studies abroad."
More applause erupted.
Vincent stepped forward.
The guests cheered.
Grace continued speaking.
"The future of the Harrison family has never looked brighter."
Everyone raised their glasses.
Everyone except Chloe.
Because at that exact moment, she noticed something strange.
Near the entrance.
A man she didn't recognize.
He wasn't speaking with any guests.
He wasn't enjoying the celebration.
Instead, he appeared to be watching someone.
Watching very carefully.
Following their movements.
Chloe's eyes narrowed.
The man suddenly noticed her staring.
Their gazes met.
For one brief second.
Then he turned and disappeared into the crowd.
A strange feeling settled in her stomach.
Something wasn't right.
She couldn't explain it.
But deep inside, Chloe felt as though a storm was approaching.
And before long, every secret hidden within the Harrison family would begin to surface.
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