Chapter 31
For three days straight, Heloise got the cold shoulder from the project team at the Harrington Group. They subtly hinted that New Horizons Corp wasn’t their top pick, didn’t even glance at the proposal Heloise had prepped.
But for Heloise, it was a stepping stone. Right before she left that day, Breton said, “Nail this collab with the Harrington Group, and the other VP spot is yours.”
Heloise wanted that position, not for anything else but the fact that a VP could bypass the director in most decisions, avoiding unnecessary clashes with Beverly.
She also yearned to climb the career ladder, to break away from the Harrington family with her mom. So, she was hell–bent on making this partnership happen.
“Are you training?” She hit up Jenkin with a call.
Jenkin, phone in one hand and a towel mopping up sweat with the other, quipped, “What’s the fuss? If you’ve got something to say, spit it out!”
Heloise cut to the chase, “There’s a partnership summit tonight hosted by your family. I need a ticket in.”
She had her intel; Director Ritchie from the Harrington Group would be attending tonight.
“Sure, just watch your back. I can’t babysit you tonight, got training. I’ll give my sis a heads–up to keep an eye on you.”
Heloise frowned, “What do you mean, ‘keep an eye on me‘?”
“Aren’t you aware that you’re a femme fatale?”
“I’ll take that as a compliment.”
“Keep dreaming,” he chuckled before hanging up.
An hour later, a local courier delivered the summit entry ticket to Heloise.
After work, Heloise drove home, touched up her makeup, and slipped into the dress she snagged from a boutique, one Beverly couldn’t fit into. Then she hailed a cab.
She planned to drink tonight, so driving was out of the question.
The summit was at the World Trade Center. With traffic jammed, she arrived at 7:30 PM, just as the dinner was starting.
“Heloise!”
Following the voice, Heloise saw Salome Robinson. She and her brother Jenkin didn’t look much alike; Jenkin was a spitting image of their mom, delicate and pretty, like a character straight out of a movie.
Salome took after their dad, dashing and decisive, with a presence many men lacked.
Dressed in a burgundy gown, her waves pinned up at the back, lips a striking red, and a wine glass in hand, she was in full queen mode. “Salome,” Heloise approached.
Salome linked arms with her, a flash of admiration in her eyes. “That dress is stunning. You’re getting prettier by the day. How about it, ever consider marrying Jenkin to become my family? I’d love to have you as part of the family.”
Heloise laughed it off, “Salome, give me a break. Jenkin’s the one who isn’t into me.”
“He probably thinks you’re out of his league. Really, not giving it a thought?” Salome’s eternal matchmaking kicked in. “My folks would love to have you.”
“I’m just his friend.”
“Feelings can change, you know,” Salome raised an eyebrow.
Heloise, the straight shooter, “Then Jenkin and I would go sour.”
J
Salome chuckled speechlessly, shaking her head. “You two really are good friends, even talk the same.”
Heloise had an ‘I knew it‘ look.
Salome signaled a waiter, “Get Ms. Beaumont some fruit wine.”
Then to Heloise, “Jenkin’s worried you’ll drink too much.”
Truth be told, Heloise could hold her liquor, but lately, she’d been down on her luck. Better to play it safe with something light.
By making the rounds with Heloise, Salome was signaling she was her person.
The room was filled with savvy folks, and anyone Salome personally introduced demanded respect. People came up to exchange business cards with Heloise.
1/2
She wasn’t too proud, made sure to toast with everyone as their junior.
Soon she spotted Ritchie chatting away. Just as she was about to tell Salome, a commotion at the door caught everyone’s attention.
At a Robinson–hosted event, guests arrived early or on the dot. No one dared be late.
Half an hour into the dinner, this fashionably late arrival piqued curiosity.
All eyes turned to the entrance, the murmurs hushed.
As the doors swung open, a man in a black suit strolled in with an unhurried air. The solemn attire highlighted his innate nobility, making him seem untouchable. The banquet lights glinted off the jade ring on his thumb, a symbol of his status.
As his gaze swept over the crowd, an ‘ah–ha‘ moment hit everyone. Only one crossed their minds: It had to be Benedict, the head of the first family of Southpeak Borough, Benedict.
Beverly, clinging to Benedict’s arm, shot a disdainful, jealous glance at Heloise in the crowd.
She was too dazzling, making everyone else mere background extras. Just standing there, she was the center of attention without trying.
As Benedict approached Salome, his eyes briefly met Heloise’s, his tone cool and distant, “Sorry, Ms. Robinson, we’re late.”
“Mr. Harrington, your mere presence is already a tremendous privilege,” Salome greeted with a smile.
Then she glanced at his side, asking, “And this lady is?”
“My fiancée, Beverly.”
Heloise’s heart skipped a beat, her flawless makeup unable to hide her sudden pallor. She excused herself from Salome, claiming an urgent matter, and left.
She grabbed a drink from the waiter and a mocking laugh floated her way, “Isn’t that dress a bit ill–fitting?”
Heloise, holding her glass, ignored Beverly and her eyes followed Ritchie.
“You think silence means nothing ever happened?”
Heloise glanced at her with an amused smirk, “So what, you wanna hear the details of our makeout session?”
Beverly crossed her arms, her face, perfected with makeup, froze for a second as if she had swallowed a fly. She gritted her teeth and hissed at her, “Have you no shame?”
“If you don’t wanna hear it, quit bugging me.” Heloise brushed her off, “Instead of hassling me, you might wanna figure out how to keep your fiancé’s heart.”
She hadn’t walked far when someone tapped her shoulder. Thinking it was Beverly again, she turned to find it was Kyrell.
Ditching his usual sporty look, Kyrell was clad in a dark grey suit, his hair neatly styled, looking more dashing than ever.
Her face lit up with surprise, “What are you doing here?”
Kyrell glanced at the society lady chatting nearby, “Came with my mom; she’s got high blood pressure, so I’m making sure she goes easy on the booze.”
Heloise chuckled, covering her mouth, “Oh, right, thanks for your concern via President Rockefeller.”
“You already thanked me the other day, why bring it up again?” Kyrell teased.,
A stray lock of hair stuck to Heloise’s cheek, she fumbled and missed it. Kyrell watched her bow her head, looking all docile, and couldn’t help but lean in closer to twirl that strand of hair out of her face.
Not too far off, Beverly stood next to Benedict, envy in her tone, “Benny, look at them, aren’t they a perfect match?”
“Are they?” He gave a half–smile and downed his red wine, setting the glass down with a clink.
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