Chapter 7 - The Banquet Begins
On the night of the banquet, Lucas behaved like a man arriving at his coronation.
Black cars delivered executives to the estate. White flowers surrounded the stage. A string quartet played beside the fountain while servers moved through the garden with champagne.
Emma wore the gown Lucas had selected for her.
He had wanted champagne satin because he thought it looked supportive and understated beside his navy tuxedo.
He did not know Emma had chosen every detail of the evening to make the truth impossible to ignore.
The stage screens were connected to a presentation system controlled by Emma’s event technician.
Rachel waited near the back of the garden with two Northstar executives and an independent auditor.
Arthur Hawthorne arrived at eight.
He was in his late sixties, silver-haired and formal, with the expression of a man accustomed to people hiding bad news from him.
Lucas greeted him enthusiastically.
“Everything is ready.”
Arthur looked around the garden.
“Your wife did this?”
“She helped.”
Emma heard the answer from several feet away.
She approached.
“I designed and organized the entire event.”
Arthur smiled politely.
“Then Hawthorne owes you thanks.”
Lucas placed an arm around Emma’s waist.
“She has always been wonderful behind the scenes.”
Emma looked at his hand.
He removed it.
Vanessa arrived soon afterward in her red gown.
She avoided Emma’s eyes.
Lucas pulled her aside near the floral arch.
Emma could not hear their entire conversation, but his frustration was visible.
Vanessa shook her head several times.
He gripped her elbow.
She pulled away.
Guests began taking their seats.
Lucas’s parents occupied the front table. His mother, Patricia, called Emma over.
“You must be thrilled,” Patricia said. “Lucas has worked so hard.”
Emma smiled.
“He has certainly taken a great deal.”
Patricia missed the meaning.
“We always knew he was meant for leadership.”
Lucas’s father leaned closer.
“Once he has the promotion, perhaps you can finally slow down with that little business.”
Emma studied the family that had spent years treating her success like a hobby.
“My business is about to change,” she said.
“I’m glad you’re being realistic,” Patricia replied.
At nine, Arthur Hawthorne took the stage.
He spoke about expansion, innovation, and trust.
Trust.
The word seemed to hang beneath the lights.
Lucas stood near the steps, preparing to join him.
Arthur continued.
“Leadership is not merely the ability to produce results. It is the ability to earn confidence while producing them.”
Lucas nodded solemnly.
Emma wondered whether he heard the irony.
Arthur began introducing the new regional president, praising the Northstar proposal as evidence of strategic vision.
Before he announced the name, Emma signaled the technician.
The screen behind the stage went dark.
Lucas turned sharply.
“What happened?”
Emma stepped forward carrying the silver box.
She had originally planned to begin with the stolen proposal.
But when she saw Lucas smiling beside Arthur, Vanessa watching in silence, and his parents waiting to celebrate, Emma understood that the affair mattered too.
Not because infidelity was a corporate crime.
Because Lucas had used every relationship in his life as a tool.
Emma climbed the stage.
Lucas forced a smile.
“There she is,” he told the guests. “The woman who supported me through every late night.”
May you like
Emma placed the box beside the microphone.
“Yes,” she said. “Let’s talk about those late nights.”
