Chapter 4
The cream-colored envelope arrived by courier three days after the boutique incident. I recognized Regina's looping handwriting immediately—the same script she'd used to sign yearbooks back at Columbia, always with a little heart dotting the i.
"Mrs. Anderson," our housekeeper said, placing it on the silver tray beside my morning tea. "This just came for you."
I sliced open the envelope with my mother's silver letter opener, pulling out a heavy card stock invitation. The embossed lettering caught the morning light streaming through our penthouse windows.
"Ms. Regina Owens cordially invites you to an apology dinner at the Wood family estate..."
I nearly choked on my tea. An apology dinner? From Regina?
Leonidas appeared in the doorway, already dressed in his perfectly tailored suit. "What is it?"
I handed him the invitation, watching his expression darken as he read.
"She's threatening you," he said flatly, noting the postscript at the bottom: *Your presence is required if you wish to maintain any future employment prospects in Manhattan. My social media reach extends further than you might imagine.*
"Social media blackmail," I murmured, tracing my mother's ring with my thumb. "How original."
Leonidas's jaw tightened. "You're not going."
"I am," I replied, meeting his gaze steadily. "With your security team."
He studied me for a long moment before nodding. "Marcus will arrange everything."
---
The Wood estate sprawled across five acres of prime Connecticut real estate, its colonial architecture gleaming under perfectly landscaped grounds. As our car pulled up the circular driveway, I spotted at least thirty luxury vehicles already parked in the lot.
"Ready?" Leonidas asked, his hand warm against mine.
I smoothed the silk of my midnight blue gown—a Valentino that cost more than most people's monthly salary. The dress was understated yet unmistakably expensive, with subtle details that only those in the know would recognize.
"Ready," I confirmed.
Marcus flanked me as we entered, his presence discreet but unmistakable. Two other security personnel positioned themselves nearby, their casual postures belying their purpose.
The cocktail hour was in full swing when we arrived. Crystal chandeliers cast a golden glow over Manhattan's elite—CEOs, hedge fund managers, and socialites mingling beneath oil paintings of Wood family ancestors.
I spotted Sebastian immediately, his tall frame bent slightly as he listened to an older man in an expensive suit. He hadn't noticed me yet.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Regina's voice rang out as she tapped a crystal glass with a silver spoon. The room gradually fell silent. "I'd like to make an announcement."
She stood on a small platform at the edge of the room, resplendent in a red designer gown that screamed for attention. Her smile was razor-sharp as her gaze found mine.
"I've invited someone special tonight," she continued, her voice carrying through the hushed room. "Someone who needs to learn her place in our world."
The crowd parted slightly, creating a path between us. Regina's smile widened as she beckoned me forward.
"Sienna Peterson—or whatever she's calling herself these days—please join me."
I felt Marcus tense beside me, but I placed a gentle hand on his arm. With measured steps, I approached the platform.
"This is Sebastian's emotionally unstable ex-employee," Regina announced to the room, her voice amplified by the microphone in her hand. "The woman who hallucinates wearing museum-grade jewelry and attempts to extort innocent people."
A ripple of uncomfortable laughter moved through the crowd. I saw Sebastian's face go pale.
"Oh, and she's pregnant," Regina added with a malicious smile. "Though I wonder who the father might be."
Instead of the shame or anger Regina clearly expected, I felt a strange calm wash over me. I took the microphone from her hand with deliberate slowness.
"Thank you, Regina," I said, my voice steady. "For demonstrating exactly why you've always needed to buy what I've always had naturally."
The room went deadly silent.
"Your entire life," I continued, meeting her gaze directly, "you've been desperate for what came easily to me—respect, genuine admiration, people who valued me for my mind rather than my bank account."
Regina's face contorted with rage. "You pathetic little nobody—"
"I graduated summa cum laude at Columbia," I cut in smoothly. "I built a successful career on merit. And yes, I found love that wasn't transactional."
I watched her carefully as each word landed like a physical blow.
"You've spent your entire life trying to purchase what I've always had freely given," I concluded. "That must be exhausting."
Regina's composure cracked completely. With a feral cry, she lunged forward, shoving me hard toward a marble pillar.
I felt myself falling backward, my hands instinctively covering my stomach. The room erupted in gasps and shouts as Marcus moved with lightning speed toward us.
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