She Called Me A Kept Woman, I Kept The Family Fortune Chapter 05
With the entire room staring. I walked toward the stage.
Before Madison could react, I took the microphone from her hand.
First, it’s an honor to have so many of you here tonight
despite your busy schedules.”
And to thank you, I’m giving everyone in this room one more
chance to decide where you stand.”
I hadn’t even finished before the guests below shot to their
feet, faces red with anger.
You’re awfully young to be threatening people like us.”
Do you realize one word from people like us could close every
door in Boston to you?”
Exactly. What, do you think you organized this auction?
Who are you to make us pick sides?”
My words had landed like a slap, and these self–important
executives cared about nothing more than their pride.
If event security hadn’t been standing between us, some of
them looked ready to storm the stage and drag me down themselves.
The funny thing was, one of them had guessed right. I had
organized this auction.
For years, I’d quietly organized charity auctions across the
country without Ethan knowing. I never imagined I’d be
questioned at one in my own city.
Madison could barely hide her delight at seeing the whole
room turn against me.
“Ms. Hart, even your own husband doesn’t want you anymore.
What right do you have to stay here?”
“You can’t prove you have the money, can you? You’re just stalling.”
laughed.
“Who told you I don’t have the money?”
It’s only fifteen million dollars. I can cover it.”
Madison scoffed.
Evelyn Hart, maybe everyone else here doesn’t know you, but I do.”
You only got into this room because you were Mr. Caldwell’s
wife. Now that you’re out of the Caldwell family, where
exactly are you getting fifteen million dollars?”
That was when it clicked. She really was trying to take my place.
Too bad she’d picked the wrong woman to throw away the
moment she thought I was useless.
If I could pull the Caldwells back from the edge of bankruptcy
that quickly, I could send them right back there overnight.
But with things this far gone, I suddenly changed my mind.
My own husband had humiliated me in public and flaunted
another woman in my face. I was settling that score tonight.
Madison had no idea what I was planning. My silence only
made her bolder.
‘Hey, Hart. Everyone’s waiting. Can you pay or not?”
She raised the microphone and shouted toward the doors.
Security! She’s disrupting the auction. Get her out.”
At her order, more than a dozen security staff quickly
surrounded me.
I didn’t look the least bit rattled.
“Ms. Reed, are you really going to have them lay hands on me?”
Madison threw her head back and laughed.
*So what if I am? Without the Caldwells, you’re nothing.”
She flicked a hand, and the security staff moved in.
Just before they reached me, someone in the crowd suddenly shouted.
“Wait. Look who’s here!”
Everyone turned toward the doors.
A distinguished middle–aged man hurried into the ballroom.
“Dad? What are you doing here?“