Chapter 2: The Invitation They Couldn't Afford to Lose
The following morning, Vanessa was already waiting at the breakfast table when I entered the dining room.
She wore a cream-colored designer suit, pearl earrings, and a smile that suggested she had just won something.
Brielle sat beside her, scrolling through her phone.
She was wearing my diamond butterfly earrings.
I stopped in the doorway.
“Those are mine.””
Brielle glanced up.
“Good morning to you too.””
I pointed at her ears.
“My earrings.””
She touched one of them.
“Oh, these? Mother said I could borrow them.””
Vanessa calmly spread butter over her toast.
“They look better on Brielle.””
I walked toward the coffee machine.
“That's not the same as permission.””
Vanessa sighed.
“Must you start every morning with a complaint?””
“No. Sometimes I start with coffee.””
Brielle laughed.
Vanessa didn't.
“Sit down, Camille.””
“I have work.””
“Your little online business can wait.””
I poured coffee into a white porcelain cup.
“My work doesn't operate according to your schedule.””
Vanessa put down her knife.
“Don't use that tone with me.””
I turned.
“What tone?””
“The one that suggests you're somehow better than this family.””
I took a sip.
“I haven't suggested anything.””
Brielle leaned forward.
“Mother, don't waste your morning. She's jealous because I'm going to the gala.””
Vanessa smiled at her daughter.
“Of course she is.””
Then she turned toward me.
“Speaking of the gala, I need you to do something.””
I waited.
“Brielle has a fitting at noon. The gown needs a few alterations around the waist, and the wings are sitting too low.””
I nearly choked on my coffee.
“You want me to alter it?””
“You know how to sew, don't you?””
“I know how to design.””
Vanessa waved dismissively.
“Whatever you call it.””
Brielle placed her phone on the table.
“Make sure the waist is tighter. I want it to look perfect.””
I looked at the dress lying across the back of a nearby chair.
One of the wings had already developed a small crease.
“You shouldn't be sitting with it folded like that.””
Brielle glanced at the fabric.
“It's fine.””
“The wing structure is delicate. If the internal support bends, it won't hold its shape.””
“Then fix it.””
I set down my cup.
“No.””
Vanessa's fork hit the plate.
“Camille!””
I met her eyes.
“You stole the gown. You can arrange the alterations.””
Vanessa stood.
“Watch your mouth.””
“I'm watching it.””
“You live here because I allow it.””
I smiled without humor.
“That's what you keep telling me.””
She stepped closer.
“Your father left this household in my care.””
“My father left the estate in a trust.””
Her expression flickered.
Only for a second.
But I noticed.
Brielle looked between us.
“What trust?””
Vanessa shot her a warning glance.
“Nothing you need to concern yourself with.””
I took my coffee and walked toward the door.
Behind me, Vanessa spoke again.
“One more thing. The Harringtons are coming for dinner tonight.””
I stopped.
“Why?””
“Because they have arranged something important for Brielle.””
Brielle grinned.
“I'm being considered for an ambassador position at the Midnight Masquerade.””
I turned slowly.
“An ambassador?””
“Yes,” she said proudly.
“Apparently, the organizers want someone with influence, beauty, and a recognizable family name.””
I looked at Vanessa.
“And who told them that?””
Vanessa's chin lifted.
“I did.””
I nodded.
“Good luck.””
Brielle frowned.
“That's all?””
“What else would you like?””
“Maybe an apology for being so difficult?””
I left without answering.
At noon, I drove into Manhattan.
The headquarters of the Midnight Masquerade occupied the top three floors of a converted industrial building overlooking the Hudson River.
The building was beautiful in an understated way.
Black steel beams.
Floor-to-ceiling glass.
A giant silver moon suspended above the reception desk.
The receptionist stood as I entered.
“Good afternoon, Ms. Bennett.””
“Good afternoon, Sophie.””
“Mr. Reed is waiting in the conference room.””
I walked through the glass doors.
Marcus stood beside a long table covered in production documents.
He wore a charcoal suit and held a tablet.
“Morning.””
“It's afternoon.””
“Not in my schedule.””
I smiled.
He handed me the tablet.
“The Bennett family has officially accepted the private meeting invitation.””
“Who is attending?””
“Vanessa, Brielle, and a representative from the Harrington family.””
I raised an eyebrow.
“Which representative?””
“Richard Harrington himself.””
That was unexpected.
Richard Harrington was one of the wealthiest real estate developers in the country. His family had been trying to secure a major sponsorship position at the gala for months.
They had been rejected twice.
“Why is he involved?””
Marcus tapped the screen.
“Because Vanessa has apparently promised him access to the creative director.””
I stared at the invitation request.
“What exactly did she promise?””
“A personal introduction. A private sponsorship discussion. And a possible performance opportunity for Brielle.””
I slowly lowered the tablet.
“She has promised three things she cannot deliver.””
“Four,” Marcus said.
“What?””
“She also told him Brielle would wear the original Asteria butterfly gown during the opening ceremony.””
I closed my eyes.
“Of course she did.””
Marcus placed a document in front of me.
“The costume registration system has flagged the gown. We have the original receipt, the production contract, and the security footage from the dressing suite.””
“Good.””
“Would you like to file a formal theft complaint?””
I considered it.
“Not yet.””
He frowned.
“Why are you giving them another chance?””
“I'm not.””
I opened the document.
“I'm giving them an opportunity to make their own choices in front of witnesses.””
Marcus studied me.
“You sound like your father.””
I looked up.
“Was that a compliment?””
“Absolutely.””
He smiled.
Then he became serious again.
“One more thing. The Harringtons are bringing their son.””
“Which son?””
“Alexander.””
I froze.
Alexander Harrington.
I hadn't heard that name in years.
He had been my father's business partner's son. When I was younger, he had occasionally visited our home with his father.
He had always been polite.
Quiet.
Observant.
And, unlike most people in my family, he had never treated me as though I were invisible.
“What does he have to do with the meeting?””
Marcus shrugged.
“Apparently, he wants to meet Asteria.””
I looked at the schedule.
“Fine.””
Marcus watched me.
“Do you know him?””
“A long time ago.””
“Is that good or bad?””
I picked up my bag.
“I'm not sure yet.””
That evening, the Bellamy mansion looked like a luxury hotel.
The dining room was decorated with white roses and silver candles.
Vanessa had ordered a private chef.
Brielle had spent three hours getting ready.
And I had received a text from Marcus confirming that the gala's official invitation system had been updated.
At 7:15 p.m., the Harrington family arrived.
Richard Harrington entered first, carrying a bottle of expensive champagne.
Beside him was his wife, Eleanor.
And behind them walked Alexander.
He was taller than I remembered.
Dark hair.
Broad shoulders.
A black suit that looked as though it had been tailored specifically for him.
His eyes moved around the room before settling on me.
For a moment, he looked surprised.
“Camille?””
I gave him a small smile.
“Hello, Alexander.””
He approached.
“It's been a long time.””
“Five years.””
“Almost six.””
He glanced at my hand.
“Are you all right?””
I followed his gaze.
A small bandage covered the cut from the previous night.
“Kitchen accident.””
His expression changed.
“That's unfortunate.””
Before he could say anything else, Vanessa appeared.
“Alexander, darling! We were just talking about you.””
She kissed his cheek.
Then she turned toward me.
“Camille, would you mind helping the staff?””
Alexander looked confused.
“She's a guest, isn't she?””
Vanessa laughed.
“Oh, she's family. She doesn't mind helping.””
I didn't correct her.
I simply turned toward the kitchen.
But Alexander caught my wrist gently.
“Wait.””
I looked at him.
“Something wrong?””
He lowered his voice.
“Your father told me something before he died.””
My breath caught.
“What?””
“He said that one day, people would finally see what you were capable of.””
I stared at him.
Then Vanessa called his name.
He released my hand.
“We should talk later,” he whispered.
I nodded.
Across the room, Brielle was already introducing herself to Richard Harrington as the future face of the Midnight Masquerade.
Vanessa watched proudly.
And when I walked into the kitchen, I heard her say something that made me stop.
“Once Brielle secures the ambassador position, everything will change for our family.””
Richard laughed.
“Let's hope Asteria agrees.””
Vanessa smiled confidently.
“She will. My daughter has exactly the look they're searching for.””
I stood in the doorway.
Then my phone vibrated.
A message from Marcus.
*Camille, we just received a formal request from Richard Harrington. He's offering $5 million for exclusive access to Asteria's creative team.*
A second message appeared.
*He has also requested that Brielle be named the official face of the gala.*
I looked toward the dining room.
Vanessa was raising her champagne glass.
Brielle was smiling.
And Richard Harrington had absolutely no idea that the woman he wanted to negotiate with was standing ten feet away.
I typed my reply.
Decline the offer.
Then I added:
May you like
But keep the meeting.
Because I had a feeling tomorrow night would be far more interesting than anyone expected.
