You're Right" Was My Revenge

Everyone in our social circle knew I had the ultimate 'Exactly' personality. I never argued with anyone. I simply agreed, then took their logic to its natural conclusion. Backstage at the engagement party celebrating my marriage alliance, my fake best friend challenged me while wearing a red dress. "Mr. Mercer just told me in the garden that I'm a hundred times prettier than you. He's dancing the opening number with me tonight." I was sincerely pleased for her. "Exactly. He's short enough to need lifts in his shoes, so his balance is terrible when he dances. That red dress will give everyone something else to look at." She clenched her purse and let out a cold laugh through gritted teeth. "Stop pretending you don't care! Everyone knows you're desperate to marry into the Mercer family so you can protect Bennett Group's assets. You're the laughingstock of the entire socialite circle!" I nodded solemnly. "Exactly. If I can give all those bored socialites something to laugh about, at least I'm doing a good deed." My so-called best friend then cried to the guests about how crude and unbearable I was. My fiance stormed backstage with his family and demanded that I kneel and apologize to everyone. I smoothed my skirt and remained perfectly calm. "Exactly. Someone who says outrageous things the way I do has no business standing here. We should call off the marriage alliance and cancel the engagement party." ***** "Natalie Bennett, are you finished with this tantrum? Chloe was only joking, yet you had to humiliate the Mercer family in front of everyone. Do you have any idea how many reporters are outside? Are you determined to ruin our engagement party?" I studied my fiancé Julian Mercer's furious face, then nodded seriously. "Exactly. Someone who can't even take a joke has no business becoming the Mercer family's daughter-in-law. This engagement party is far too distinguished for a common woman like me. I'm polluting the air just by standing here." Julian's mother, Diane Foster, pushed past him and jabbed a finger at my face. Her spit nearly hit me. "You ungrateful little wretch! The Mercer family choosing you was the greatest blessing you could ever hope for. How dare you bully Chloe and then shoot your mouth off here? If you don't apologize to Chloe and admit you were wrong to Julian in front of everyone today, this marriage is over!" I stepped back to escape the sharp cloud of her perfume and eagerly agreed with every word. "Exactly. How could an ungrateful little wretch like me deserve the Mercer family's blessing? Ending this marriage is a wonderful idea. Mrs. Mercer, you're remarkably wise and generous. I'll clear the way right now so Chloe can take my place." Diane froze. She had probably never met anyone so willing to seize an opening and run with it. Her face turned red as a breath caught in her throat, leaving her speechless. Finally, she grabbed her husband's sleeve. "Victor, look at her! She has absolutely no shame!" Julian's father, Victor Mercer, approached with a dark expression. He clasped his hands behind his back and assumed the imposing air of an elder before fixing me with a cold stare. "Natalie Bennett, don't think a few Bennett Group shares give you the right to cause trouble. If you walk out that door today, the multibillion-dollar Southgate project between our families is finished. When the Bennett Group board comes after you, don't come crying to us!" I agreed without a moment's hesitation. "Exactly. Bennett Group has wanted to disentangle itself from the Mercer family's annual losses for a long time. Thank you for generously offering to end the partnership, Mr. Mercer. We can consider it the settlement for our amicable breakup. I'll have the Bennett Group legal department draft the termination agreement as soon as I get back." Victor's face turned livid. Even the finger he pointed at me began to shake. "You... You're completely unreasonable!" Julian stared at me as if he had already written the entire scene in his head. His eyes brimmed with smug certainty and contempt. "Stop pretending, Natalie. You're jealous of Chloe, and this is nothing but a clumsy attempt to play hard to get and force me to back down. If you walk out that door today, I won't let you into the Mercer family even if you crawl back on your knees!" He kept talking as if my refusal didn't exist. I had no interest in indulging his wounded ego, so I waved over the hotel manager, who had been peeking nervously through the doorway. The manager hurried toward us, wiping sweat from his forehead. I pointed toward the ballroom. "Exactly. Someone playing hard to get the way I am doesn't even deserve to pay the bill. Charge the several million dollars for tonight's breakup banquet to Julian Mercer. The Mercer family is far too prominent to refuse a few million dollars after casually walking away from a multibillion-dollar project." The manager glanced at me, then at the Mercers, whose faces had turned darker than thunderclouds, before stammering his agreement. The guests outside had already heard the commotion. They craned their necks toward the backstage area as shocked looks and hushed gossip spread through the room. Chloe Dawson hid behind Julian and called out with false concern. "Natalie, don't be impulsive. Julian only said those things because he was angry..." I didn't even look back. I lifted my skirt and walked calmly toward the side door in my five-inch heels, without wasting another ounce of energy on them. Diane's shrill curses and the crash of Julian breaking something followed me outside. I drew in a deep breath of fresh air. 'This feels wonderful. I'm finally free of those lunatics.'