Chapter 10 - The Cracks in Evelyn’s ArmorOn Thursday afternoon, an unexpected visitor arrived at Claire’s private residence: Evelyn Vance herself.
She was stripped of her grand retinue. There was no chauffeur, no silk stole, no crowd of sycophants. The bruising around her jaw was concealed beneath heavy foundation, but her posture had lost its imperious tilt.
Claire stood at the iron gate of her courtyard, leaving the latch firmly locked.
"You've bankrupted our foundation's annual gala," Evelyn said, her voice strained and raspy. "Three board members resigned this morning. The country club board called an emergency hearing to suspend our membership."
"Actions carry consequences, Evelyn," Claire replied evenly.
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"I am an elder of this community!" Evelyn hissed, though her hands trembled against her designer handbag. "I reacted in frustration! He was touching the centerpiece!"
"He was an innocent child reaching for a sweet," Claire said coldly. "And you treated him like an animal. You didn't come here to apologize to Toby. You came here because your social empire is bleeding out."
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