Chapter 52 Stealing what's yours
THIRD PERSON’S POV
Only Trisha and Serena remained at the dining table.
“Babe, what happened to Damian?”
“He said someone tried to assassinate him on his way back, but an anonymous tip warned him.”
“So did he confirm that the tip was correct?”
“Yes, someone had informed his rivals that he was traveling alone and they planned the assassination.”
“Oh my God,” Trish said, covering her mouth.
“They were going to gun him down in the middle of the road, Trish.”
“Don’t think it was Jonathan?”
Yeah asked in a hushed tone.
“I don’t know.” Serena took in a deep breath, “But I’m going to make sure I find out who did it and before I do, I’m going to make the suspects suffer.” She smiled and turned.
“Starting with tomorrow’s gala.”
Trisha’s face lit up, “What do you have in mind?”
“We are going to need the help of a very powerful friend.” Serena winked.
“Hey Dad, when did you get here?”
Clara asked, gesturing for a server to adjust the seating arrangement at table seven.
The Gregory Estate Ball was held at the Cosmopolitan Museum every year, and Clara had been an integral part of the planning committee every year. It was one of the few things in the world that truly brought her joy.
Horace strolled through the grand entrance of the museum, his measured steps echoing faintly against the marble floors. The soft golden light from the chandeliers caught the sharp lines of his suit as he took in the flurry of last-minute preparations.
florists adjusting centerpieces, servers polishing glassware, committee members whispering over clipboards. His gaze settled on Clara at the center of it all, composed and commanding, and a thin smile curved his lips, this was the one time a year Clara always managed to make him proud.
“I must say Clara, you've outdone yourself with these decorations.” He said taking it all in.
She smiled, “thanks father. I can’t wait for the halls to fill up with people.”
She looked down and added shyly, “I can’t wait for Jonathan to see it.”
Horace looked at her, his eyes sparkling despite himself. “Hmm, who cares what he thinks. You’ve done marvelously here.”
Clara’s cheeks gleamed. “I hope everything goes as planned.”
Horace nodded.
I need to go home to prepare. “I’ll see you later, daddy.” She turned to leave but the sight of Serena walking through the doors made her pause in her step.
“What are you doing here?” She asked.
“Hello sister, glad I caught you here.”
Horace turned around when he heard Serena’s voice.
“So,” Serena continued. “We are changing the theme of the ball.”
Clara blinked, “What are you talking about?”
“Oh, no one told you?” Serena replied.
“Tell me what, Serena?” Clara asked.
“I spoke with Sarah, and explained to her that since the gala is going to crossover to midnight and tomorrow is Valentine’s Day we should make it a love theme.”
“Love theme? Valentine? Do you realize that this gala is in less than 5 hours?”
“Good thing we have enough people to help us.” Serena popped her head back out the door and called out, “Come in, guys.”
“What are you saying Serena?” Horace said coming up to where they were both standing.
“Hello, father, nice suit,” Serena said with a grin. “I was just telling Clara that Aunt Sarah said she has to make some major changes to the theme and that going forward I’m taking Clara’s place on the committee.”
“Sarah can’t do that,” Horace said, already pulling his phone out of his pocket.
“Of course she can,” Serena flipped a loose strand of hair backward, “she’s the interim CEO remember?”
“She can’t sign off on things without my approval.”
Serena scoffed, “Are you forgetting you are her deputy and not the other way round?”
“I’ve been working on this for months. Does she expect me to just let you hijack it at the last minute?”
“She does,” Trisha replied from the entrance. “Fix your face, you look like you are about to cry” She laughed mockingly.
“Don’t piss me off Trisha.” Clara hissed.
“Since when are you even interested in the ball Serena?”
Horace asked.
“Since today.”
She replied with a smirk.
Horace took hold of Clara’s hands.
“I’ll speak with Sarah and I’ll settle this. I won’t let her take this away from you.”
“Wow,” Serena said softly, “So you can defend your child like this?” She sniffed.
“You are willing to fight for Clara but not once did you even think to fight for me when she tried to steal my inheritance.” A tear escaped from her eyes.
Trisha grabbed her hand and squeezed it lightly.
Horace didn’t reply to her, he looked like he wanted to say something to her but decided to swallow it instead.
She turned to the workers. “Take all this shit down!” She shouted.
Clara rushed to her. “Serena, if you change the theme now how will the guests prepare?”
“Don’t worry little Clara, we already contacted all the attendees and they are all prepared and ready for tonight.”
Clara shook her head.
“Why are you doing this?” she asked, her eyes teary.
“I assure you, you haven’t seen anything yet.”
Serena replied, walking past her.
In no time, Clara’s hard work from the last 6 months had been packed into boxes and loaded into the waiting truck.
When she went back to the museum her black swan masquerade theme had been changed to cupid and hearts, red shone bright at every corner she turned.
It angered her more that she couldn’t even claim the decorations were ugly. Serena had hired the best interior designers in the city.
Clara snagged a glass of champagne from a waiter passing by and downed the entire contents of the bottle.
Where was Jonathan, she wondered.
“Clara, what do you think of the event?” Serena chimed from behind her.
Clara scoffed, “I think you took something that I loved and trampled all over it.”
Serena chuckled. “How does it feel to taste your own medicine?”
“You went too far, Serena.”
“Too far?” Serena echoed softly. “Too far was stealing my husband.” Her finger pressed against Clara’s shoulder. “Too far was trying to steal my inheritance.” She tapped her chest again, firmer this time. “Too far was when Jonathan caused Trisha’s accident.”
By now, they were standing so close their breaths tangled in the space between them.
“No,” Serena continued, her voice lowering into something colder. “Too far, Clara, was when your husband tried to have mine murdered. This?” A faint, humorless smile curved her lips. “This is nothing.”
Clara flinched at the pressure against her chest and finally grabbed Serena’s wrist, forcing her hand down.
“I already told you,” she said through clenched teeth, “Jonathan had nothing to do with Damian’s assault.”
“Forgive me if I don’t take your word for it Clara,” Serena replied dryly.
“I don’t care what you believe, but just remember this,” she let go of Serena’s fingers. “You’ve just started a war.”
“You are pathetic if you are only just joining the war.” Serena retorted, walking past Clara and into the hall.
Clara took in one final calming breath before following Serena inside as the event was about to start.
“Here,” Trisha handed one of the glasses of wine in her hands to Serena. “I knew you would need it after I saw you talking to Clara.”
“Can you imagine she’s still defending Jonathan?”
“I mean, he’s her husband after all,” Trisha said softly.
“He’s a murderer,” Serena insisted just as her phone beeped.
She ignored it because Sarah had just climbed the stage to give her speech.
Sarah clinked the glass in her hands, the room immediately falling into a rushed silence.
“Ladies and gentlemen I’m so glad you could all
Make it here tonight,” Sarah started.
Serena’s phone beeped again, she sighed heavily and fished into her purse, finally deciding to attend to the message.
Two notifications.
One was from Damian.
DAMIAN: I’m outside.
And the second one from a number that hasn’t texted her in a while.
Her tipster.
“He’s back.” She whispered before tapping on the notification bar.
UNKNOWN: After tonight, a new battle will be won. A new champion will be crowned and the scoreboard will tilt in favor of your foes.
“What the fuck does this mean?” Serena breathed out slowly.