Chapter 1: The Woman Everyone Chose to Abandon
Chapter 1: The Woman Everyone Chose to Abandon
The silence lingered long after Vivianne whispered, "That's... impossible."
Aiyana simply nodded toward the exit.
"I gave an instruction."
The head of security inclined his head.
"Miss Carter."
Vivianne jerked her arm away before anyone touched her.
"Don't you dare lay a hand on me!"
Her voice echoed through the ballroom, but it no longer carried authority.
Only desperation.
She spun toward the guests she had been entertaining only minutes before.
"Say something!"
No one moved.
One socialite suddenly found the champagne in her glass fascinating.
Another quietly stepped behind her husband.
Even the women who had laughed when Vivianne mocked Aiyana avoided eye contact.
No one wanted to share the consequences.
Vivianne pointed at one of her closest friends.
"Sophia... tell them this is ridiculous."
Sophia lowered her gaze.
"I'm sorry."
"You invited me."
"You told me this party was full of important people."
Sophia swallowed.
"I... didn't know this was her estate."
Vivianne stared in disbelief.
One by one, every ally she believed she had disappeared without taking a single step.
Fear had replaced friendship.
The security officers waited patiently.
Finally, Vivianne walked.
Each click of her designer heels across the marble floor sounded louder than the orchestra.
The massive ballroom doors closed behind her.
The applause never came.
Only silence.
Aiyana slowly turned back toward the guests.
"I apologize for the interruption."
Her calm voice somehow carried farther than Vivianne's shouting ever had.
"I hope everyone enjoys the remainder of the evening."
Then she smiled politely.
The orchestra resumed playing.
Conversation cautiously returned.
Within minutes, the party continued as though nothing had happened.
Except no one looked at Aiyana the same way again.
Not as a quiet guest.
May you like
Not as an elegant stranger.
But as the woman who owned everything around them.
