Chapter 5 - The Frozen Narcissist
The echo of Leo’s bold question still hung in the air of the grand luxury ballroom.
“Dad, why is she wearing Mom’s anniversary dress?”
Julian froze completely. The arrogant, triumphant smile he had worn all evening instantly shattered into a million pieces. His hands instinctively gripped Chloe’s waist tighter as his handsome face turned a sickly, pale shade of gray under the glow of the crystal chandeliers.
He stared down at his eleven-year-old son, completely unable to process the reality of what was happening. This was supposed to be the night he ascended to the top of the corporate world. Instead, he was being publicly interrogated by a child in a light blue suit.
Chloe, standing beside him in the stolen pink silk evening gown, suddenly felt the heavy, judgmental stares of hundreds of elite guests burning into her skin. The dress that was supposed to make her look like a queen now felt like a neon sign broadcasting her toxic, home-wrecking behavior. She looked around the room in absolute, suffocating panic, realizing she was entirely surrounded.
"Leo... stay out of this," Julian stammered, his confident voice cracking with a pathetic, nervous tremor as he tried to wave his son away. "You don’t understand what you are talking about. Go find your mother."
"I am right here, Julian," Eleanor stated, her cold, dignified voice carrying effortlessly across the marble floor.
Eleanor stepped forward, standing firmly beside her son. Her white blazer dress with the black lace sleeves radiated an imposing, unshakeable majesty. She didn't look like a broken, betrayed wife; she looked like an executioner who had just arrived to collect a debt.
"He understands perfectly, Julian," Eleanor continued, her eyes locking onto his with terrifying intensity. "The question is, do you?"
Julian’s breathing grew rapid and shallow. He looked wildly at the billionaire investors standing nearby, desperately trying to salvage his shattered reputation.
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"Eleanor, stop this right now!" Julian hissed, his voice dropping into a desperate, threatening whisper. "You are embarrassing yourself in front of the entire board!"
👉 Read Part 6 to see Leo deliver the final, crushing blow.
