Chapter 8 - The New Gala Plan
The centennial gala had originally been designed to celebrate the company’s history.
Vivien transformed it into Carter’s coronation.
A massive stage was built beneath the ballroom chandeliers.
A video presentation traced the company’s success from Charles to Carter.
Elaine appeared for less than two seconds in a group photograph.
Her name was not mentioned.
When Serena reviewed the guest list, she found herself listed as:
SERENA — SPOUSE OF CARTER.
Vivien’s description read:
VIVIEN — STRATEGIC VISIONARY AND FUTURE PARTNER.
Serena showed the program to Charles.
He removed his glasses.
“This is inappropriate.”
“Will you change it?”
“I’ll speak to Carter.”
“Will you stop the acquisition?”
Charles looked away.
“That is a separate matter.”
“It uses my mother’s reserve.”
“You are not supposed to know the details yet.”
Serena stared at him.
“You knew Carter was using it?”
“I knew he proposed it.”
“With my authorization?”
Charles remained silent too long.
Serena felt something inside her finally break.
Not loudly.
Not dramatically.
It simply stopped expecting Charles to do the right thing.
“You always said you protected the truth because you wanted Carter to love me for myself.”
“I did.”
“No. You protected the company from conflict.”
“Serena—”
“You allowed him to believe I owned nothing because it made him easier to manage.”
Charles stood.
“I built this empire with your mother.”
“She built it with you.”
His face tightened.
“I will not debate history.”
“That is why history is about to correct you.”
Serena walked away.
That evening, Charles confronted Carter about the gala program.
Carter blamed Vivien.
Vivien blamed the event staff.
Nothing changed.
Instead, Carter added another announcement.
During the gala, he would reveal that he and Serena had “mutually decided to live separate lives.”
He prepared a statement describing Serena as emotionally fragile and uninterested in corporate responsibilities.
His attorney drafted a separation agreement offering Serena a modest house and annual support.
In exchange, she would waive all claims against the company.
Carter placed the papers on Serena’s dressing table.
“Sign before the gala.”
She read the first page.
“You are announcing our separation publicly?”
“It will prevent rumors.”
“You brought your mistress into our home.”
“Be careful.”
“Or what?”
Carter leaned closer.
“I will make sure everyone knows why this marriage failed.”
Serena closed the folder.
“Then tell them.”
Carter smiled.
He believed she had surrendered.
May you like
Serena had simply decided that the ballroom would become the place where every lie ended at once.
👉 Carter planned to remove Serena from the head table, but Serena was quietly preparing to remove him from every account he controlled.
