Chapter 2: The Price of Arrogance
Chapter 2: The Price of Arrogance
Vivian Shaw refused to surrender.
"There are beautiful dresses everywhere," she snapped.
"Being expensive doesn't make someone important."
Eleanor nodded.
"I agree."
The answer caught Vivian off guard.
"Wealth has never impressed me."
She looked around the ballroom.
"Do you know why I retired?"
Nobody answered.
"I grew tired of watching people buy craftsmanship..."
"...only to mistake ownership for understanding."
She slowly faced Everett.
"You love my granddaughter."
"I can see that."
Everett swallowed.
"I do."
"Then answer one question."
"What did Hannah wear on your first date?"
He blinked.
"A blue sweater."
"What did she wear when you proposed?"
"A cream coat..."
"...because she said it belonged to her grandmother."
Eleanor smiled.
Then she turned toward Vivian.
"And you?"
"What was your future daughter-in-law wearing ten minutes ago before you insulted her?"
Vivian opened her mouth.
Nothing came out.
Because she had never looked.
She had only judged.
Eleanor rested both hands on her cane.
"That..."
"...is the difference between love and status."
The words struck Everett harder than anyone else.
He walked to Hannah.
Took both of her trembling hands.
"I should have defended you sooner."
"I'm sorry."
Tears filled Hannah's eyes.
"You believed me before anyone else."
"No," Everett admitted.
"I believed my mother."
"Then I chose you."
The confession echoed through the ballroom.
One by one...
Several guests quietly removed the invitations they had been holding.
Not because they wished to leave.
May you like
Because they suddenly realized they had been invited to witness a wedding—
not a competition.
