Chapter Four: The Woman in Red(Part Two)
1426 Words
Chapter Four
The Woman in Red
Part Two
The ballroom shimmered beneath crystal chandeliers that cast warm light across polished marble floors. A string quartet played softly from the raised platform while elegantly dressed guests drifted from one conversation to another.
The Brooke family's thirtieth anniversary celebration was everything the newspapers had promised.
Influence.
Power.
Prestige.
Hailey instinctively slowed her pace.
She had attended events like this before, but tonight felt different.
Perhaps it was the dress.
Perhaps it was Anna's words still echoing in her mind.
"Just for one night... let people see you."
"Hailey."
She turned.
Margaret approached with effortless grace, Emma beside her in an emerald-green gown that complemented her perfectly.
Margaret's smile never faltered.
"There you are."
"I'm sorry I'm late."
"You worked."
It wasn't a question.
"Yes."
Margaret's eyes slowly travelled over the crimson gown.
She smiled politely.
"It's... different."
Hailey instinctively looked down.
"I couldn't make it home."
"My friend Anna had this dress."
"I see."
Margaret reached out and lightly smoothed an imaginary crease near Hailey's shoulder.
"Red is certainly... a confident choice."
Hailey smiled uncertainly.
"I wasn't sure about it."
"No?"
Margaret tilted her head thoughtfully.
"I've always believed black suited you."
"It has a quiet elegance."
"This..." She glanced at the dress again. "...draws attention."
Emma looked between them.
"I actually think she looks beautiful."
Margaret smiled at her daughter.
"Of course she does."
Then she turned back to Hailey.
"I simply don't think red is your colour."
The words were gentle.
Soft.
Almost affectionate.
Yet they landed like stones.
Hailey's fingers tightened around her clutch.
Suddenly the dress felt too bright.
Too noticeable.
Too much.
She forced a smile.
"Maybe you're right."
Margaret squeezed her hand lightly.
"It's only my opinion."
"You know I always want what's best for you."
Hailey nodded.
"I know."
The conversation moved on, but her confidence did not recover.
She became painfully aware of every curious glance.
Every whisper.
Every pair of eyes.
Maybe she should have worn black.
Maybe Anna had been wrong.
Maybe...
"Margaret!"
A deep voice interrupted her thoughts.
A distinguished man in his late fifties approached with an easy smile. His silver hair was neatly combed back, and the confidence in his stride came not from arrogance but from years of success.
Margaret's expression brightened immediately.
"Mr. Harris."
"It has been far too long."
He laughed warmly.
"It certainly has."
Emma extended her hand.
"It's wonderful to see you again."
"The pleasure is mine, Emma."
Margaret smiled with practiced charm.
"I've been hoping we'd have a chance to speak."
"So have I."
"I hear Harris Global has several international projects beginning next quarter."
"It does."
"We'll be expanding considerably."
Margaret nodded knowingly.
"That usually comes with... legal complications."
Mr. Harris chuckled.
"You know business too well."
Richard joined them moments later.
"Harris."
"Richard."
The two men shook hands.
"I've been looking forward to seeing you."
"As have I."
Margaret's smile widened.
"I was just telling Mr. Harris that Emma has recently begun handling several of our corporate matters."
Emma smiled modestly.
"I'm still learning."
"Nonsense," Margaret replied.
"She's becoming one of our brightest young lawyers."
Mr. Harris nodded politely.
"I'm sure she is."
Margaret continued.
"If Harris Global is considering new legal representation, we'd be delighted to discuss how Emma could—"
He looked past her.
Completely past her.
His eyes settled on Hailey.
For a brief second, surprise flickered across his face.
Then genuine delight.
"Miss Stonnes."
Hailey blinked.
"Sir?"
He walked directly toward her.
"I've wanted to meet you."
Margaret's smile froze almost imperceptibly.
"You know Hailey?"
Mr. Harris laughed.
"Know her?"
"I've been looking for her all evening."
Hailey looked genuinely confused.
"For me?"
He nodded.
"My board insisted I watch the Harrison Chemicals trial."
"They wanted to understand how Stonnes & Partners dismantled a case everyone expected them to lose."
He smiled warmly.
"I ended up watching your closing argument twice."
Hailey felt her cheeks warm.
"You're too kind."
"I'm not being kind."
"I'm being honest."
He gestured toward her dress.
"And before I forget..."
"That colour suits you."
Hailey looked down instinctively.
"The red?"
"Especially the red."
His smile softened.
"Some people wear colour."
"You make it look effortless."
"I almost didn't wear it."
"Then someone gave you excellent advice."
Hailey smiled despite herself.
"My friend Anna."
"She has excellent taste."
Margaret quietly sipped her champagne.
Emma noticed the subtle tightening of her mother's jaw.
Mr. Harris continued.
"You know, Miss Stonnes..."
"I've spent thirty years building companies."
"I've learned that exceptional people are surprisingly rare."
"You impressed me."
Hailey lowered her eyes.
"I was simply doing my job."
He laughed.
"That's exactly what exceptional people always say."
He turned toward Richard.
"Richard..."
"I've made a decision."
Richard's expression became attentive.
"I'd like Stonnes & Partners to become Harris Global's principal legal counsel."
A pleased murmur spread through the small circle.
Richard smiled.
"That's wonderful news."
"It would be an honour."
He extended his hand.
"We'd be delighted to represent Harris Global."
The two men shook hands.
Richard continued smoothly.
"I'll assemble a legal team made up of my most senior partners."
He looked toward Hailey.
"And the team will be headed by Hailey."
Silence settled for the briefest moment.
Mr. Harris's warm smile broadened.
"I was hoping you'd say that."
He looked directly at Hailey.
"I've built every one of my businesses by surrounding myself with people whose work speaks louder than their titles."
"I have no intention of lowering that standard when it comes to legal representation."
Hailey was speechless.
"I... I don't know what to say."
"You don't have to."
He raised his glass.
"Just keep doing exactly what you've been doing."
"You've already convinced me."
Emma watched Hailey with wide eyes.
Not jealousy.
Admiration.
She suddenly understood why people outside the firm spoke about her adopted sister with such respect.
Margaret, however, remained perfectly composed.
Only the slight tightening around her smile hinted that something beneath the surface had shifted.
Across the ballroom...
A man in a charcoal suit had witnessed the entire exchange.
One hand rested casually in his pocket while the other held a glass he hadn't touched.
His expression revealed nothing.
His assistant stepped beside him.
"Sir?"
Damien Ashford's eyes never left Hailey.
"So..."
"That's Hailey Stonnes."
"Yes, sir."
"The lawyer."
"The same one who handled Harrison Chemicals."
(Damien watched as Hailey awkwardly tried to steer the conversation away from herself, almost embarrassed by the praise she was receiving).
A few minutes later, as the conversations shifted elsewhere, Emma gently linked her arm through Hailey's.
"Come with me."
They wandered toward the edge of the ballroom.
Emma followed Hailey's gaze before smiling knowingly.
"So..."
"That's Damien Ashford."
Hailey looked toward the man standing across the room.
He was surrounded by business leaders, politicians and investors, each eager for a moment of his attention.
He listened more than he spoke.
Calm.
Composed.
Confident.
"So that's Damien..."
"I've never seen him at one of these."
Emma nodded.
"Neither has anyone else."
"What do you think?"
Hailey smiled faintly.
"He's..."
She hesitated.
"...really handsome."
Emma laughed.
"I knew you'd say that."
"I'm only telling the truth."
Emma took a sip of champagne.
"I suppose Mr. Harris has given you a little confidence."
Hailey frowned.
"What does that mean?"
Emma glanced at the red dress.
"With this dress..."
"...and all those compliments..."
She mimicked Mr. Harris dramatically.
"Miss Stonnes... extraordinary... exceptional... remarkable..."
She burst into laughter.
Hailey couldn't help laughing too.
"He really did flatter me far too much."
Emma raised an eyebrow.
"Did he?"
"You smiled an awful lot."
"I was embarrassed."
"Even Dad looked shocked."
Then Emma leaned closer.
Her smile remained playful.
"But don't start thinking you've suddenly got a chance with Damien Ashford."
The words were light.
Almost teasing.
"He doesn't notice women like you."
Hailey's smile faltered for the briefest moment.
Then she laughed.
"I wasn't planning on introducing myself."
"Good."
Emma nudged her shoulder.
"I'd hate to see my sister disappointed."
She said it so casually...
As though she'd done Hailey a kindness.
Just then a familiar voice called out.
"Emma!"
Mr. Sanders waved from across the ballroom.
Emma sighed dramatically.
"My rescue."
She hugged Hailey briefly.
"Don't stay too long."
"I won't."
Hailey watched her disappear into the crowd.
Then, almost without thinking, she looked back toward Damien.
He was still surrounded by powerful men.
Still unaware she existed.
She smiled to herself.
"He really is handsome..."
She whispered it so quietly that only she could hear.
Then she turned away.
- Writer
