Chapter 26 Old Drama
After Hunter handed me the invitation to the Blackwell Gala, he left.
The gala was tomorrow night. That didn’t give me much time.
I sighed and stood up from my desk.
“Anna,” I called out to my assistant. “Cancel the rest of my meetings today.”
“Yes, ma’am,” she said quickly.”
I grabbed my purse and headed straight for the boutique on Fifth Avenue–the biggest designer mall in the city. It was mine, of course, but today, I was a customer.”
The head seamstress lit up when she saw me.
“Miss Berkeley! We weren’t expecting you.”
“I need something custom,” I said. “Gala tomorrow.”
“Right away.”
They didn’t waste time. Within minutes, fabric samples were laid out.
I picked a deep emerald green silk with tiny gold accents.”
It shimmered softly under the lights–strong, elegant, impossible to ignore.
As they measured me, I stared at my reflection in the mirror. This woman… this version of me… she was no longer invisible. She stood taller. Spoke louder. She wasn’t a shadow of who she used to be.
“That’s perfect,” I said once they finished pinning the design around my body.”
“We’ll have it ready by noon tomorrow,” the seamstress promised./
I nodded and grabbed my bag to leave.”
That’s when I heard her voice.”
“If it isn’t the big, bad CEO herself…“}
I froze for a split second. I knew that voice.”
Lily.
I turned my head slowly.”
She stood there, arms crossed, fake pout on her lips. Her blonde curls were perfect as always, and she wore designer heels like she owned the ground beneath them.
I didn’t say anything. I didn’t owe her anything.
I walked past her.”
But of course, she followed.
“How’d you do it, Faye?” she sneered. “How did a poor little nobody end up as CEO of Berkeley and get engaged to Hunter Blackwell? What’d you do? Blackmail him? Seduce him?“}
I kept walking.
“Faye, I’m talking to you!” she snapped louder. “You don’t just become a CEO overnight. And Hunter? You think someone like him would actually love someone like you?“}
I stopped at the door.”
“Funny,” I said, turning around slowly. “You’re talking a lot about blackmail for someone who’s been blackmailing Gabriel.”
Her face turned red.”
“You don’t know what you’re talking about.”
“I know enough,” I said, voice calm. “And I’m not in the mood to relive high school drama with you.”
“I’m going to find out how you scammed your way to the top,” she hissed. “And when I do-”
I cut her off. “Do what, Lily? Cry? Lie? Play the victim like you always do?”
She stepped forward. “You don’t scare me.”
“Good,” I smiled tightly. “Because I’m not trying to.”
Then she did it
She threw herself to the ground with a loud gasp.
“Ah! You hurt me!”
I blinked.
Seriously?
I didn’t even touch her.
People turned. An elderly woman nearby rushed over $
“Oh dear! Are you alright?” she asked, helping Lily up.
11:37 AM
“She pushed me,” Lily whimpered, wiping invisible tears from her cheeks.]
The woman turned to me. “Young lady, you should be ashamed of yourself. Bullying someone like this.“?
I just stood there. Calm. Still.
Lily sniffed. “She’s always hated me. Always wanted Gabriel. And now look–she’s doing it again!“}
I laughed. “You still have that fake cry down to an art. Too bad I don’t fall for it anymore.”
The doors behind us opened again.
Gabriel walked in–with Ace and lan.
His eyes scanned the scene. Then he rushed forward, putting an arm around Lily.
“What happened?” he asked, looking at me. “Why are you hurting her?”
“I didn’t touch her,” I said coldly.
“Lily loves you,” Gabriel said, frowning. “She’s just trying-”
“Spare me,” I cut in, my voice sharper now. “You always see what you want, Gabriel. Never the truth.“@
I glanced at the boys.
lan’s eyes were glued to the marble floor. Ace clutched his dad’s sleeve, silent.
They weren’t calling me names. Weren’t smirking. Weren’t saying anything.”
Just quiet. Almost… ashamed.}
Ifrowned, something was wrong because they didn’t even try to help Lily.
I looked at Gabriel one last time.}
“Take care of your kids,” I said.}
Then I turned and walked away.”
My heels echoed down the marble hallway and I sashayed with pride.
I’m not the same woman I was.
It was obvious, I’ve changed and I loved it.
