Chapter 5 - ST. CLAIRE
Margaret looked at the photograph.
Then at Charlotte.
“Where did you get that?”
“My mother’s notebook.”
“You should give it to me.”
Charlotte laughed.
“Not happening.”
Margaret stepped inside.
Daniel moved between them.
“Ms. Wren.”
“I’m not going to hit her.”
Charlotte raised an eyebrow.
“That’s growth.”
Margaret ignored her.
“St. Claire was an accounting firm.”
Sebastian entered behind her.
“You told me they were an outside consultant.”
“They were.”
Charlotte held up the photograph.
“Then why did my mother write your name next to theirs?”
Margaret’s jaw tightened.
“Because your mother was obsessed.”
Sebastian’s face hardened.
“Careful.”
“She was.”
Margaret turned toward him.
“Olivia thought everyone was stealing from her. She accused accountants, board members, me.”
“Did she accuse you of blocking my grandfather’s letters?”
That stopped her.
Charlotte saw it.
Tiny.
A blink too long.
“Of course not.”
“You’re lying.”
Margaret stepped closer.
“You’ve been here less than an hour. You don’t know anything about this family.”
Charlotte didn’t back away.
“I know you slapped a stranger before asking her name.”
Margaret lowered her voice.
“And you think that makes you strong?”
“No. Catching your wrist did.”
Sebastian stepped between them.
“Enough.”
Margaret looked at him.
“You’re going to believe her?”
“I’m going to investigate.”
“Tonight?”
“Yes.”
“During the biggest gala this company has held in twenty years?”
“Yes.”
Margaret’s face went cold.
“You’re making a mistake.”
Sebastian answered quietly.
“I’ve already made too many.”
Margaret turned and walked out.
Charlotte watched her leave.
“She knows something.”
Sebastian nodded.
“Yes.”
That surprised Charlotte.
“You believe me now?”
“I believe Olivia.”
The ballroom doors opened.
Music spilled into the hallway.
Daniel checked his watch.
“Sir, there are four hundred guests waiting for your speech.”
Sebastian looked at Charlotte.
“Come with me.”
“No.”
“I want to introduce you.”
“Absolutely not.”
“Charlotte.”
“I got slapped ten minutes after walking in here. Somebody stole my notebook. Half the room filmed it. I don’t need a stage.”
Sebastian lowered his voice.
“They already turned you into a story.”
“What?”
Daniel handed Charlotte his phone.
A video was spreading online.
Margaret slapping Charlotte.
Charlotte grabbing her wrist.
Sebastian hugging her.
The caption read:
MYSTERY GIRL CLAIMS TO BE BILLIONAIRE SEBASTIAN VALLE’S SECRET GRANDDAUGHTER.
Another headline appeared beneath it.
POSSIBLE IMPOSTOR CRASHES VALLE ANNIVERSARY GALA.
Charlotte stared at the screen.
“Who called me an impostor?”
Daniel scrolled.
The article quoted an unnamed senior executive.
Charlotte looked toward the ballroom doors.
Margaret stood inside speaking to a reporter.
She saw Charlotte watching.
And smiled.
Sebastian reached for the phone.
“Come on.”
“Where?”
“To the ballroom.”
“Why?”
Sebastian straightened his jacket.
“Because if Margaret wants a public fight…”
He held out his arm.
May you like
“…we’ll give her one.”
And when Charlotte took it, Margaret’s smile finally disappeared.
