Chapter 8
The gala did not collapse.
That almost made it worse.
The orchestra did not stop completely.
The chandeliers did not fall.
The estate did not explode into chaos.
Instead, the room became painfully polite.
Guests lowered glasses.
Executives avoided eye contact.
Security held position.
Officers kept Dominic restrained but controlled.
And Vivienne stood there with Sophia, refusing to let the evening move forward as if nothing had happened.
Dominic breathed hard.
“Victor, you’re making a mistake.”
Victor’s eyes remained cold.
“The mistake was assuming my sister’s silence meant she had no protection.”
Dominic looked at Vivienne.
“You ran to your brother?”
Vivienne’s face stayed calm.
“No. My brother came when your lies reached my daughter.”
Sophia looked up at Victor.
“Uncle Victor?”
His expression softened immediately.
“Yes, star.”
“Are we in trouble?”
“No.”
Dominic closed his eyes briefly.
Not from guilt.
From knowing every guest had heard the child ask that.
Vivienne knelt slightly beside Sophia without releasing her hand.
“You are not in trouble,” she said. “You didn’t do anything wrong.”
Sophia looked toward Chloe.
“Then why did Daddy bring them?”
No one breathed.
Vivienne did not answer for Dominic.
That was the point.
She rose slowly and looked at him.
The question remained in the air.
Who did you come here to celebrate?
Your wife?
Your daughter?
Your mistress?
Your public image?
May you like
Dominic’s silence answered more brutally than words.
Read the full story 👉 Vivienne refused to explain Dominic’s betrayal for him, leaving Sophia’s question in front of every guest.
