Chapter 361: Enemies Across the Aisle
The moment Summer’s donation was announced, the room’s energy shifted. Everyone started looking at her differently. Compliments poured in like confetti. She nodded politely, her gaze drifting—slow, unbothered—toward Emelia and Morgan. The two of them stood stiffly among a cluster of society ladies, their faces visibly pale and tight. Morgan rolled her eyes more than once.
Summer gave a soft smile, her tone light and casual. “Mrs. Harper and her daughter don’t look too thrilled to see me.” Emelia had no choice but to force a smile. “Of course not, Mrs. Graham. You look so healthy and vibrant—it’s truly a blessing to see you back on your feet.”
Summer’s smile didn’t waver. “Is that so? After getting locked in a freezing storage room by one of your household staff, I’d say it’s a miracle I’m still breathing.” She said it right out in the open. Emelia hadn’t expected her to bring it up—let alone in public. Her smile froze, cracking at the edges. There was an audible shift among the crowd. Heads turned. People leaned in. Gossip was a universal language, after all.
Still, Emelia was an old pro. She recovered quickly, smoothing her face into gentle politeness. “That maid’s already been dealt with. I hope you’ll be gracious enough to let it go, Mrs. Graham. After all, the poor girl is dead. May she rest in peace, right?”
What a pretty little line. Yvette gave a sharp laugh. “Wow, okay. So a maid’s worthless life is supposed to weigh the same as Mrs. Graham’s? Please. Forget the maid—your daughter Morgan’s not even in the same league.”
Morgan’s expression snapped. She wasn’t her mother—she didn’t know how to play nice. Just as she was about to lash out, Emelia clamped a hand on hers. Emelia smiled sweetly, her voice soft and weaponized. “Everyone is equal. And I’m sure Mrs. Graham, being so kind and generous, wouldn’t throw her weight around.”
Summer’s face remained calm. Then she smiled. “There’s a saying,” she began, “the servants only do what they’re taught. I don’t know if you’ve heard it, Madam Harper. But I’m someone who remembers kindness—and repays cruelty in kind. I’m not good at pretending. I don’t let a single grain of sand stay in my eye.”
Morgan snapped. She couldn’t stand Summer. Just seeing her made her skin crawl. If it weren’t for Summer, that maid wouldn’t have died. She blamed Summer entirely. “Don’t push it!” Morgan hissed. “Whatever happened between us is over and done with!”
Holly, the charity chairwoman, looked like she was about to panic. She stepped in, trying to smooth things over with a nervous chuckle. “Let’s not dwell on unpleasant things tonight. We’re here to support a great cause. The event’s about to begin—everyone, please take your seats!”
Morgan shot Summer a venomous glare before turning away with a sharp pivot. Emelia, scrambling to clean up the mess, followed quickly. “She’s still young,” Emelia said to the crowd with a breathless smile. “Please don’t take it to heart.”
As soon as they were seated, Emelia leaned in close, whispering sharply. “How many times have I told you to keep it together? Do you know how many reporters are here tonight? Do you want to tank your reputation and the Harper name with one temper tantrum?”
Morgan slouched in her seat, wanting badly to light a cigarette—but forced herself to hold back. “This is ridiculous,” she muttered. “That woman is practically dancing on our heads. How do you expect me to sit here and do nothing? If I bottle this up any longer, I’m gonna explode.”
Emelia was far calmer than her daughter. She was playing the long game. “Your grandfather said the Graham Group’s upcoming shareholder summit could be a turning point. There’s a good chance someone will knock Fraser off his throne. And once he’s gone, Summer loses her safety net. That’s when you can strike—however you want. But for now? Keep gone, it zipped.”
Morgan grumbled, “Fine. I’ll wait. But once the chance comes, I’m not holding back.”
The charity gala officially began in a swirl of warm applause. The emcee smiled on stage, going over the night’s schedule and highlighting the causes they would support.
Morgan’s glare could have cut glass. The sheer loathing in her eyes was sharp enough to chill the air. Summer barely blinked. She just smiled faintly in return. That smile made Morgan’s face twist even more.
Yvette returned from the hallway and sat down next to Summer, leaning in to whisper. “I just found out—Emelia arranged for Morgan to go on stage after the auction. That might be our opening…