THE HOUSE OF EVERMORE

THE INVITE

CHAPTER SIX

THE INVITE

Carol Yates arrived without haste. The room shifted the moment she walked in. All eyes are on her. She walked unbothered through the rolls, not speaking to anyone, yet every step she took commanded the ground, the air, and the whispers. As she walks through the Athena glass of the consortium.

Muted conversation thinned. Heels paused mid-step, head turned, not out of curiosity but out of recognition. A tailored ivory suit hugged her body like an untouchable shield, she wore confidence like perfume. No excessive jewelry, but the diamond necklace around her neck was already making statements. Her hair was swept into a low chignon, every strand laid

Like an obedient child. Her presence speaks louder than every word that was being whispered.

“This was no social club.” The Athena consortium was an elite women's community and boardroom. Mrs Yates a voice called her from behind, she turned gracefully. It was Willow Parker “The Elite Woman” herself.

It's such an honor that you accepted our invitation by gracing us with your presence. We are so glad to have you amongst us.

Of course, as one of the most powerful women in society, I feel honored to be here today. Her words were more of a statement than a response.

Please allow me to lead the way, " Willow said as she led her to the front row of the conference hall. Her seat was right next to Willow’s seat.

Lyla sat quietly at the other end of the hall. She was dressed in all black, only a few people noticed her presence.

The conference was going smoothly. Till Willow made an announcement concerning an upcoming program based on supporting old and young women who wish to further their education or need financial aid for business growth. The hall was quiet till Carol stood up.

She rose with the kind of composure that commands silence, her gaze swept across the room. She paused, drifting her eyes all over the room, making sure she had everyone's attention.

I will single-handedly fund the entire program. She stated. “Power,” she said calmly, is not just a privilege but also a responsibility. Since I have the finances and power, why not help the poor who are less privileged? Her words echoed in the room.

‘Furthermore,’ she continued, the Yates legacy, through me will fund and sign a long-term contract. To build and empower our women and children community. Through charity, education, empowerment, mentorship, and leadership development.

With that, she sat down with a satisfactory grin on her face. She knew she had just marked her territory. By showing everyone in the hall that she was the most powerful.

The room stir.. applause followed. But beneath it was something bigger. The whispers, the gaze, the attention. She wanted it all. Carol Yates was not making gestures…. She was making statements, she was making declarations.

Just as Lyla was about to leave, her gaze fell on Carol, who was standing in the midst of her fellow Elite Women.

“Lyla”? She murmurs to herself. Excuse me ladies, I have to go now. She left the crowd without a second thought. She walks up to where Lyla was.

“ Lyla ”

Carol Yates didn't raise her voice, she never raises her voice.

Lyla turned to studying her expression, “Mrs Yates.”

Carol studied her the way seasoned Queens studied rising ones. She calculated her words before speaking. “You listened closely today,” huh?

Yes, I did, and I would say that was such a generous act you performed today. Lyla said, holding her gaze. You are a professional whenever you try to create history. Mrs Yates I'm sure you are exactly what this community needs. Lyla's words were more of flattery than compliments.

A faint smile curved on Carol's lips. Good, because what I announced wasn't just funding, it was a power charade, I bet you have that.

Lyla's brows lifted slightly. She scoffed. As long as the women and children of the society benefit from it, I see no reason to compete. Real potential women understand that power grows best when it's cultivated and nurtured. Not when it becomes a survival game for the fittest.

“ Have a Blissful day, Mrs. Yates. Lyla walks away.

Carol Yates stood there, she watched Lyla leave till her shadow was no longer visible.

Her eyes darkened. No one had ever disrespected her or walked away from her in a long while. She couldn't stand being belittled, she has always been the one who walks away, belittled and disrespected first. She was so bitter, but she needed her little power show to continue. She had to lighten up to keep up with her unbothered personality.

She was going to deal with Lyla later, she promised.

***********************************************

“Madame,” here is the list of invites you asked for. Bruce Williams walked up to where Grandma Lily was standing in the garden. Thank you Bruce, she said as she collected the tablet from him. Hold on Bruce, don't go yet. Grandma Lily turned to him. Bruce, you have been with this family long before now. You were raised in this family, you married in this family, and you gave birth in this family. Even when you lost your wife Alita Ivy, you still stayed back after mourning your wife. Bruce, I want to ask you a simple question, and I want you to be very honest with me. Have you ever considered leaving this family?

Bruce pinched the bridge of his nose, and he looked up to meet her gaze. Yes Madame.

He replied. Mmmmm and when was that?

Bruce exhales deeply; it felt like he was about to discuss something he never wanted to talk about, his eyes went dead, and his palms felt cold.

After Alita died, I felt lost. Not to lie, a part of me died with her. He raised his head to the sky like he was searching for answers. His eyes reddened. Elmore was just a baby, she was just 3, my darling daughter didn't deserve such cruelty but I guess nature had other plans. I lost hope entirely. My innocent child needed a mother; she needed her mother. I tried to leave but Elmore’s innocence kept holding

me back. She loved this place; she felt safe here, you loved her; you took her from me at my darkest moments, which allowed me to mourn my beautiful wife without holding back. You gave me time to heal by looking after Elmore in all of my emotional unstabilized moments. Leaving here felt like snatching another family away from my dearest child. I couldn't bear to see her lose another loved **one. So at the end I healed, I healed for Elmore, I healed for Alita because I know she would want the same thing, I accepted my faith and renewed hope in my daughter.

Thank you Madame, thank you for loving and nurturing Elmore, thank you for never making her feel the absence of her mother.

Bruce felt light in his heart. He felt the weight of the pain he had been bearing alone was lifted off his shoulders; truly, he really needed this conversation with Grandma Lily.

Grandma Lily stared at a blank space for a while, her eyes filled with emotions. She exhaled deeply. Bruce I totally understand

I’ve also lost someone; I may not say it, but even to this day, I still miss Edward; he was a good husband and a great father. The thoughts of his death still make me sad. Her voice softened. I'm glad we were able to raise Elmore into the Great woman she is today.

Bruce, you did well as her father, and I'm sure Alita acknowledges that wherever she is. With that, Grandma Lily turned and left, leaving Bruce in the garden.

It's Stuart's first official meeting with the board of management and Shareholders of Yates holdings.

The boardroom fell into silence, the moment Stuart Hale Yates stepped inside.

Grandma Lily Yates, Hale Yates, Carol Yates, Laura Yates, Edgar Hale Yates, Joel Hale Yates, and the rest of the board members were already seated in their respective chairs. Stuart's seat was positioned opposite Edgar’s giving him a full view of Edgar’s face.

Stuart was the Yates no one prepared for. Everyone sitting in the room was either expecting the worst or being hopeful about the future.

Stuart adjusts the cuff of his charcoal-colored, well-tailored suit before taking his seat at the edge of the table, next to Hale Yates's seat. Stuart's gaze lifted, sharp, steady, unreadable. He has been waiting for these days silently, patiently.

He looked at Grandma Lily who gestured to him to speak.

“Good morning,” he said evenly.

He paused, scanned the room then continued.

I am Stuart Hale Yates the second grandson of the Yates conglomerate and the second heir of the Yates conglomerate.

My presence may have raised concerns, which is understandable given the fact that almost all the board of management and shareholders know nothing about my existence. But I step forward today as one of the Yates blood. To present myself before everyone here as not just Stuart Hale Yates, the second son of Hale Yates, but also as Stuart Hale Yates, the son of Lyla Ambers and Hale Yates. The whole room fell into confusion, whispers everywhere. Grandma Lily could not believe what just happened. She stared at Hale, but Hale seemed oblivious to the whole thing. Carol was the most shocked. Laura rested her back on her seat, her face expressionless, and she was just watching the whole drama unfold as she had planned. Edgar's face darkened, his lips curled up in a sinister smile. Joel sat there with his eyes wildly opened.

No one could have assumed Stuart was going to introduce his mother on his first public appearance to worsen it all. Everything was being played live on national television. The boardroom was filled with media from every angle of the country.

He lifts his hand to the back of his ear, let her in, he muttered.