Part 18
As the evening progressed, the inevitable encounter materialized in the crystal-laden dining hall.
Margaret had arrived late, slipping into the venue through a side entrance to avoid the aggressive press outside.
She sat at the main family table, looking isolated despite being surrounded by the city's most prominent figures.
Her usual seat at the head of the table had been given to a corporate sponsor, a public sign of her reduced status.
When Daniel and Emily approached the table to take their designated seats, the atmosphere turned frozen.
Aunt Beatrice immediately cleared her throat loudly, adjusting her diamond necklace with an agitated flick of her wrist.
"Daniel, Emily," Beatrice said, her voice dripping with artificial sweetness. "How lovely of you to finally join the family."
"We are here for the charity, Beatrice," Daniel replied smoothly, pulling out a chair for Emily with practiced elegance.
Margaret looked up from her plate, her eyes meeting Emily's across the floral centerpiece of white roses.
There was no anger in Margaret’s eyes tonight, only a profound, devastating exhaustion that seemed to age her.
She offered a small, hesitant nod to Emily, a silent acknowledgment of the boundaries they had established.
Beatrice noticed the interaction and scoffed softly, leaning in toward Margaret with a conspiratorial whisper.
"You don't have to be afraid of them, Margaret. This is your event, regardless of what anyone says."
The comment was loud enough for the entire table to hear, causing several guests to lower their forks in anticipation.
Daniel’s expression darkened instantly, his muscles tensing as he prepared to shut Beatrice down permanently.
But before Daniel could speak, Emily placed a gentle hand on his arm, silently signaling that she would handle this.
She looked directly at Beatrice, her expression entirely serene, lacking any trace of the fear she once carried.
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"The event belongs to the children's foundation, Aunt Beatrice," Emily said, her voice carrying beautifully across the table.
"And I believe we are all here to support that cause, not to create unnecessary personal drama."
