Chapter 6 - The Charity Gala
Despite the impending doom hanging over her head, Eleanor's sheer narcissism refused to let her hide in the shadows. The annual Crestwood Children's Hospital Charity Gala was the social event of the season. Eleanor had chaired the committee for eight years. She believed that if she could just show her face, mingle with the old money, and play the victim, she could rally support.
She pawned the last of her designer shoes to rent a gown and arrived at the grand ballroom of the Pierre Hotel via a cheap taxi.
As she walked up the red carpet, she expected the usual flurry of camera flashes. Instead, the photographers lowered their lenses. The silence was deafening.
Eleanor forced her chin up and marched toward the entrance.
Two massive security guards stepped in front of the gold-trimmed doors.
"Excuse me," Eleanor said haughtily. "I am the chairwoman of this event."
"Not anymore, ma'am," one of the guards said politely but firmly. "The committee held an emergency vote yesterday. You have been removed from the registry."
"On whose authority?!" Eleanor demanded, her voice echoing in the quiet lobby.
"On mine," a calm voice echoed.
Nora walked down the sweeping marble staircase. She wore a breathtaking, custom-made emerald gown that perfectly matched Richard's eyes—and Leo's. She looked like absolute royalty. Beside her was the hospital’s chief of medicine.
"Ms. Vance has generously agreed to match all donations made tonight, effectively doubling the hospital's funding for the pediatric ward," the doctor said, looking at Eleanor with thinly veiled disdain. "She is the new honorary chairwoman."
"You..." Eleanor choked, pointing a trembling finger at Nora. "You just have to take everything, don't you?"
"I only take back what was stolen," Nora replied smoothly. She stepped closer to Eleanor, lowering her voice. "Did you really think Russo wouldn't tell me? Did you really think you still had the power to order a hit in this city?"
Eleanor’s blood ran cold. The color drained from her face, leaving her looking like a corpse. "How..."
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"Because I own the shadows in this city, too," Nora whispered. "Russo works for Vance Holdings. He has for three years. The police have the tape, Eleanor. They are looking for you right now."
In the distance, the faint, wailing sound of police sirens began to echo through the city streets.
