Chapter 8

Lorraine smiled politely through all of it. She nodded. She shook hands that didn't want to touch hers.Victoria led Lorraine to her seat, the worst table in the room: Table 14, tucked behind a pillar near the kitchen entrance. The chairs wobbled. The tablecloth had a stain the caterers hadn't caught. The nearest centerpiece was already wilting. Every other table had crystal water glasses and fresh orchids; Table 14 had plastic cups."Here you go, sweetheart. Your throne."Lorraine sat without a word. The other guests at the table—a junior intern, a plus-one who came alone, a man who looked like he'd rather be anywhere else—glanced at her and looked away. Nobody said a word to her.From across the room, Victoria watched. She pulled out her phone and filmed a short video of Lorraine sitting alone. She typed a caption and sent it to her group chat: She's sitting there like she's at a funeral. I can't breathe.The replies came fast: laughing, mocking, hungry for more. Victoria turned to her friend Sloan and clinked their glasses together. "The night is young."Dinner was served. Lorraine ate quietly. She didn't try to talk to the other guests; she didn't try to blend in. She just sat with her back straight and her hands folded in her lap between courses. The steak was overcooked. The wine was warm. The bread was stale. Nobody refilled her water. Table 14 wasn't just the worst seat; it was designed to humiliate.Halfway through dinner, a waiter bumped Lorraine's chair while rushing past with a tray. Red wine splashed onto her sleeve. The waiter apologized. Victoria, watching from across the room, laughed so hard she nearly choked on her champagne. She didn't even try to hide it."Looks like the dress got an upgrade!" she called out.Several guests turned to look. Lorraine dabbed the stain with a napkin. Her expression didn't change—not once. But her hand, just for a second, tightened around the cloth until her knuckles went white.After dinner, the lights dimmed. A spotlight hit the stage at the front of the ballroom. Victoria walked up the marble steps in her white gown, diamond earrings swaying. She took the microphone and smiled at the crowd."Good evening, everyone. Welcome to the 15th annual Ellsworth Foundation Gala."Applause. She thanked the sponsors, the donors, the organizing committee. She talked about the charity, about giving back, about lifting up those less fortunate. The irony hung in the air like smoke.And then she went off script."Before we get to the auction, I want to do something special tonight." She grinned. "We have a very unique guest with us. Someone who doesn't usually get to experience this kind of evening."

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