Chapter 4 - The House of Cards Collapses
The fallout was immediate. By Wednesday evening, Eleanor had tried to secure a loan from three different banks to cover the $53,000 catering deposit. But because the Vance family's real estate assets were heavily leveraged and tied up in bad investments, every single bank rejected her.
The proud, elitist Vance family was completely broke, and the truth was finally starting to leak out.
Chloe, the bride-to-be, finally found out the truth. She had been kept in the dark by Eleanor, who had told her there was just a "minor banking delay." When Chloe realized that her wedding was on the verge of being completely ruined because her mother had insulted my daughter, she was devastated.
On Thursday morning, Chloe showed up at my house. Her eyes were red and swollen from crying.
"Catherine, please," Chloe sobbed, sitting at my kitchen table. "I didn't know. I swear I didn't know what Mom said to Lily. I was in the back room getting my dress fitted. If I had been there, I would have stopped her!"
I handed Chloe a warm cup of tea, my heart softening slightly. Chloe was a victim of Eleanor’s narcissism just as much as anyone else. "I know, Chloe. I don't blame you."
"Mom is refusing to back down," Chloe cried. "She’s lock-jawed about it. She says she won't let a 'blue-collar upstart' dictate her family's social standing. But the caterers just officially cancelled. And the florist is threatening to pull out next because the secondary payments are bouncing too. My wedding is in three days, Catherine. It’s going to be a national embarrassment."
"There is a simple solution, Chloe," I said gently. "Your mother needs to issue a public, written apology to Lily. And Lily must be reinstated as the head flower girl, wearing whatever glasses she wants."
"I'll make her do it!" Chloe promised desperate. "I'll call Dad. I'll call everyone."
But Eleanor was stubborn. Instead of apologizing, she decided to launch a counter-offensive. She took to social media, posting a lengthy, dramatic statement on her public Facebook page, which was followed by hundreds of the city’s elite.
"It is with a heavy heart that we may have to postpone Chloe's beautiful day due to malicious, targeted financial sabotage by an estranged family member. It is deeply saddening when individuals use cheap corporate tactics to settle personal grievances and target our family's historic legacy. We appreciate your support during this difficult time."
The post immediately gathered dozens of comments from her elitist friends, sympathizing with her and dragging my name through the mud.
My phone began to light up with messages from local business acquaintances asking what was going on.
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"She wants to play dirty on social media?" I murmured to myself, looking at the screen. "Fine. Let's show them the receipts."
I opened my laptop and drafted a response that would change the course of Eleanor's life forever.
