CHAPTER 2 – THE WOMAN THEY CALLED "POOR"
The ballroom erupted.
"She owns this place?"
"How is that possible?"
Andrew grabbed the folder from the manager.
"There has to be a mistake."
The manager remained calm.
"There isn't, sir."
"The estate was purchased through Mason Hospitality Holdings three months ago."
Patricia laughed nervously.
"This is ridiculous."
"She's a schoolteacher."
Clara smiled.
"I used to be."
Patricia's face tightened.
"What does that mean?"
"It means I retired early."
The manager added quietly,
"Miss Mason is also the majority shareholder of Mason Hospitality."
Several guests pulled out their phones.
Within seconds, the company appeared online.
Luxury hotels.
Resorts.
Conference centers.
Billions in assets.
The whispers became louder.
Andrew looked at Clara as if he had never seen her before.
"You never told me."
"You never asked."
"I thought we shared everything."
"We shared what mattered."
She paused.
"You only cared about what I earned after your mother started asking."
Patricia stepped closer.
"You lied to our family."
Clara shook her head.
"I simply never corrected your assumptions."
Silence.
Andrew reached for her hand.
"Clara..."
"We can still fix this."
She looked down at the torn wedding dress.
"Can we?"
He couldn't answer.
The venue manager cleared his throat.
"Madam."
"The surprise you arranged for tonight is ready."
Andrew frowned.
"What surprise?"
Clara smiled for the first time all day.
"The real reason I wanted everyone here."
The ballroom lights dimmed.
The giant screens above the dance floor came alive.
And the first image made Patricia stop breathing.
It was an old employee photograph.
Standing in the back row...
Wearing a maid's uniform...
May you like
Was Clara's mother.
End of Chapter 2...
