Chapter 11: The Social Exile
1608 Words
Lydia’s POV
The silver trays were polished so brightly that they hurt my eyes, and the catering staff had spent the entire morning arranging the delicate finger sandwiches and the imported tea sets exactly how I liked them, but as the clock on the mantle struck three, the grand sitting room remained deathly silent. I smoothed out the wrinkles in my Chanel suit and checked the front driveway for the fifth time, and I couldn't understand why the women I had played bridge with for twenty years were not pulling up in their town cars yet, because I had sent out the invitations two weeks ago and not a single person had sent a formal regret.
"Maybe they are just stuck in the roadwork on the main highway, Julian, because you know how terrible the city infrastructure has been lately," I said, turning to my son who was nursing a glass of bourbon in the corner and looking like he hadn't slept in three days.
"They aren't coming, Mother, and you should probably stop looking out the window because it’s making you look desperate and we already have enough problems without the neighbors seeing you pace like a caged animal," Julian replied, his voice sounding hollow and bitter as he stared at the empty fireplace.
Elena walked into the room with a pale face and her hands resting nervously on her stomach, and she sat down on the edge of a velvet chair while avoiding my gaze, which was a change from her usual arrogant behavior.
"I saw a post on social media a few minutes ago, and it looks like Mrs. Montgomery and the rest of your bridge club are actually at a private brunch at Gabriel’s estate right now," Elena whispered, and she flinched when I turned around and glared at her.
"What are you talking about, because that estate has been closed to visitors for years and there is no way those women would choose to spend an afternoon with a woman who just joined the family through a scandal," I snapped, and I snatched Elena’s phone out of her hand to see the photos for myself.
The screen showed my oldest friends laughing on a sun-drenched terrace with Seraphina, who was dressed in a simple white linen dress and looking like she had been the mistress of that mansion her entire life, and the caption mentioned how refreshing it was to finally be in the company of the "true" Valerius matriarch.
"That ungrateful little brat has stolen my friends just like she stole the company shares, and she is doing it on the same day as my meeting just to prove that she can erase me from the social register whenever she wants," I shouted, and I threw the phone back at Elena who barely caught it before it hit the floor.
"She isn't just erasing you, she’s burying us, and if you don't find a way to make nice with her soon, we won't even be able to get a reservation at a steakhouse in this city," Julian said, and he stood up to refill his glass, ignoring the way Elena was looking at him with a strange, terrified expression.
"I’m going to the charity headquarters to drop off the donation records, and if I see her there, I am going to remind her exactly whose name she is using to get those invitations," I told them, and I grabbed my handbag and marched out to the car before Julian could tell me to stay home.
While I was driving, I didn't notice Elena slipping into my bedroom to look through my jewelry box, and I didn't know that she was currently stuffing a pair of my diamond earrings into her pocket because she was terrified that Julian was going to lose the last of the money and leave her with nothing while she carried his child.
I arrived at the Children’s Foundation office and walked straight toward the director’s suite, but as I turned the corner, I saw Seraphina standing there with a group of lawyers and the foundation’s president, and they were all nodding as she pointed to a set of blueprints on the wall.
"Seraphina, I need to speak with you right now about the stunt you pulled with my bridge club this afternoon, and I suggest these gentlemen give us the room before I say something that ruins your reputation forever," I said, stepping into the circle and trying to tower over her even though she was wearing taller heels than I was.
"The bridge club members were invited to my home because we are discussing a new sponsorship for the gala, Lydia, and I’m sure they chose to attend because they are interested in the future of the foundation rather than the gossip of the past," Seraphina replied, and she didn't even look bothered by my presence.
"You have no right to speak to me about the future when you are a parasite who climbed into my family and then tried to burn it down from the inside, and if you think Gabriel is going to keep you around once he realizes what a snake you are, then you are even more delusional than I thought," I hissed, and I felt the heat rising in my face until I couldn't control my hands anymore.
I swung my arm back to slap the smug look off her face, but before my hand could make contact, Seraphina reached out and caught my wrist with a grip that was surprisingly strong and steady, and she held it there while the lawyers looked on in absolute shock.
"Don't ever put your hands on me again, Lydia, because I am not the quiet girl who used to take your insults in that kitchen, and if you strike me in a public building with witnesses, I will have you arrested before you can even reach the parking lot," Seraphina said, her voice remaining low and calm which only made me angrier.
"This is my building, and I have been the primary donor for this charity since before you were born, so I will do whatever I please in this office!" I screamed, trying to pull my arm back but she wouldn't let go.
"Actually, that is why I’m here today, because as of nine o'clock this morning, the deed to this office complex was purchased by a subsidiary of Apex Group, and the foundation has accepted a new endowment that makes me the primary chair of the board," she told me, and she finally released my wrist with a slight shove that made me stumble back.
"You bought the building? You spent millions just to take away my charity work?" I asked, and I felt a cold chill run down my spine as I realized how deep her pockets actually were.
"I bought it because it was a good investment and the foundation needed a leader who doesn't use the donation fund to pay for their son's gambling debts, and since you are no longer a donor of significant standing, I’m going to have to ask you to leave," Seraphina said, and she turned back to the lawyers as if I were nothing more than a fly that she had just brushed away.
I walked out of the building with my heart pounding against my ribs, and as I got into my car, I saw a black sedan parked across the street that looked exactly like the one that had been following Julian, and for the first time in my life, I felt like the walls were closing in on the Valerius name.
When I got back to the house, I found Elena sitting on the floor of the guest room with a pile of cash and a few of my gold bracelets spread out in front of her, and when she saw me, she tried to hide them behind her back, but it was too late.
"What are you doing with my jewelry, Elena, and why are you acting like a thief in my own home when I have already given you everything you asked for?" I demanded, walking over to her and grabbing her shoulder.
"I’m just trying to make sure I have a way to take care of the baby, because Julian is losing his mind and you are losing your status, and I won't let my child grow up in a house that is being repossessed by that woman!" Elena shouted back, and she stood up and pushed me away with a strength that came from pure desperation.
"The baby? You’re pregnant again?" I asked, and I felt a strange mix of hope and dread because a new heir could change everything, but not if we were living on the street.
"Yes, I’m pregnant, and if you tell Julian right now, he’ll probably just scream at me for adding another expense to his list, so you’re going to help me hide this jewelry or I’ll tell the police that you’re the one who’s been embezzling from the charity fund," she threatened, and I looked into her eyes and realized that I had brought a different kind of monster into my home.
Just then, the front door slammed open and we heard Julian shouting for us to come downstairs immediately, and his voice sounded so high-pitched and panicked that I knew something even worse had happened while I was at the charity office.
- Writer
