Instead, she looked around the room at the faces watching her—bankers, directors, advisers, executives, and spouses. Some appeared embarrassed. Others looked amused. A few avoided her gaze entirely.
That interested her more than Meredith’s cruelty.
Scarlett quietly asked, “Is this how guests are usually treated here?”
The event manager swallowed. “Ma’am, I—”
Meredith snapped her fingers toward him. “Don’t answer her.”
Scarlett looked back at Meredith. “You seem very comfortable giving orders.”
“I’m the future wife of Christian Vance.”
“And what authority does that give you?”
Meredith straightened, delighted by the opportunity to explain herself. “Enough.”
Scarlett’s expression barely changed.
Meredith stepped closer. “Christian runs this company. This building exists because of his family. Half the people here depend on us, directly or indirectly. So when I tell someone they don’t belong, they leave.”
Scarlett tilted her head slightly.
That statement, more than the cake, settled the matter.
“You should be very careful claiming ownership of things whose deeds you’ve never read.”
Meredith stared at her.
Then she laughed again.
“You’re covered in frosting and trying to lecture me about deeds?”
Scarlett reached for a linen napkin.
Before she could lift it, a sudden commotion rolled through the corridor beyond the ballroom.
Two security guards at the entrance turned sharply.
The heavy double oak doors opened.
Christian Vance entered.
He wore a black tuxedo cut with almost military precision, but there was nothing relaxed about his posture. Four senior directors followed him, each carrying a black leather folder. Behind them came two members of Vance Global’s security team, their expressions severe.
Meredith’s face transformed immediately.
Relief became triumph.
She stepped away from Scarlett and moved toward Christian, already smiling as if reinforcements had arrived.
“Christian, darling, thank God you’re here.” Meredith pointed toward Scarlett. “This woman somehow got into our private gala. She refused to leave, insulted me in front of the guests, and has completely disrupted the presentation.”
Christian didn’t look at Meredith.
