Chapter 10 - Vivien’s Final Insult
On the morning of the gala, Vivien entered Serena’s dressing room carrying a silver gown.
“I thought you might need something appropriate.”
Serena looked at the dress.
It was elegant but intentionally plain.
The size was wrong.
“You selected this for me?”
“Carter asked me to help.”
“He asked his mistress to dress his wife?”
Vivien’s smile sharpened.
“At least you finally said it.”
Serena turned from the mirror.
“Does it feel less humiliating when you force me to name it?”
Vivien placed the gown on the bed.
“You’ve had seven years to become useful to him.”
“I was his wife.”
“That is not the same thing.”
“What do you think you’ll be after the gala?”
Vivien walked closer.
“His partner.”
“In business?”
“In everything.”
Serena studied her.
Vivien was not ashamed.
She genuinely believed Carter’s betrayal proved she had won.
“Did he tell you about the trust?” Serena asked.
For the first time, Vivien hesitated.
“What trust?”
“Nothing important.”
Serena turned back toward the mirror.
Vivien grabbed her arm.
“What are you planning?”
Serena looked down at Vivien’s hand.
“Remove it.”
Vivien released her.
“You are leaving after tonight.”
“Perhaps.”
“The house will belong to us.”
“Will it?”
“Carter said—”
“Carter says many things about assets he has never examined.”
Vivien’s face tightened.
She left without taking the silver gown.
An hour later, Carter entered.
“You upset her.”
“She appears resilient.”
“I need tonight to go smoothly.”
“Then why are you bringing your affair?”
Carter adjusted his cuff links.
“Vivien will be announced as chief strategy officer after the merger.”
“And me?”
“You will sit with the foundation donors. After my speech, we announce the separation.”
Serena nodded.
Carter watched her carefully.
“No tears?”
“Would they change anything?”
“No.”
“Then they would be wasteful.”
Carter leaned toward her.
“You always mistook silence for dignity.”
Serena met his eyes in the mirror.
“And you always mistook it for permission.”
After he left, Nora arrived carrying the ice-blue gown Elaine had commissioned before her death.
Inside its lining was a small piece of fabric embroidered with Elaine’s initials.
Serena dressed slowly.
At 5:42 p.m., the independent board members began entering the private suite above the ballroom.
At 5:51, Thomas received confirmation that Carter had initiated the collateral transfer.
May you like
At 5:53, Serena’s trust activation request became legally complete.
👉 Carter was preparing to introduce Vivien as the future of the company, unaware that Serena’s mother had designed the clause that could erase his authority before he reached the stage.
