Chapter 4 - The Backless Dress
Claire took a deep, quiet breath, letting the tension leave her spine. With slow, deliberate grace, she smoothed down the front of her white backless dress.
She didn't run. She didn't bow her head.
Instead, Claire turned her back on the stage, displaying the stunning low-cut back of her gown with poise and absolute dignity. She began walking away from Daniel and Kelsey, stepping gracefully along the marble aisle between the rows of round dining tables.
As she passed, the hushed mocking vanished, replaced by an audible wave of awe.
"Look at her..." a senior board member whispered, leaning forward to watch her move. "She isn't broken at all. Look at how she carries herself."
Daniel’s smug smile began to stiffen on stage. He lowered his microphone slightly, his dark eyes tracking her every movement. He expected weakness; he was witnessing pure, unadulterated royalty.
"Claire!" Daniel called out over the speaker system, his voice losing its polished composure, a slight stammer slipping into his tone. "Claire... are you okay?"
Claire stopped just beside Table Seventeen. She turned her head slowly, looking back over her shoulder with a subtle, breathtaking look of complete freedom and calm dignity.
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"Better than I’ve ever been," Claire replied in a quiet, decisive whisper.
👉 Read on as Claire pulls out the key evidence that was sitting right at Mrs. Whitaker's table.
