The Party of Humiliation
Inside the Grand Monarch Hotel, the entire ballroom overflowed with luxury. Marco stood at the center of attention, holding a glass of champagne, his arm linked with Valerie’s. He proudly showed off his new position to the guests.
“Congratulations, Marco! I heard the mysterious Chairwoman of the company is attending tonight,” greeted an executive. “Hope you impress her!”
“Of course,” Marco replied arrogantly. “I’m their best VP. And who wouldn’t be impressed with Valerie and me? We are the perfect power couple.”
They laughed, completely unaware that the woman they were talking about was the very same person whose dress Marco had burned just hours earlier.
Suddenly, the orchestra music stopped. The lights went out, leaving only a massive spotlight aimed at the grand entrance. Mr. Sebastian stepped onto the stage.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” he announced, his voice echoing throughout the hall. “After a long time maintaining her privacy, it is my great honor to introduce the one and only owner and Supreme Chairwoman of Vanguard Empire… Madame Clara Vanguard!”
The Arrival of Light and Truth
The massive mahogany doors burst open. Twelve imposing, armed bodyguards entered in a V formation.
And from their center… I walked in.
I wore a shimmering midnight-blue gown embroidered with real diamonds. Around my neck hung the famous “Heart of the Ocean” blue diamond necklace. My hair was perfectly styled, and my posture radiated power and authority.
Billionaires, politicians, and celebrities applauded and cheered as I walked down the red carpet.
But when my eyes landed on Marco, I saw his champagne glass slip from his hand.
CRASH!
His eyes widened. All the color drained from his face. His whole body trembled as he stared at me. Valerie, beside him, stood frozen in shock.
“C-Clara…?” Marco stammered under his breath, as if he had lost all air in his lungs. “I-Imposible… s-she’s my wife…”
I walked slowly toward him. The guests parted to make way. I stopped right in front of him and looked him up and down—the same way he had done to me earlier in the backyard.
“Good evening, Marco,” I said coldly, with a chilling smile. “I’m here. Sorry I’m a bit late. My husband burned the dress I was supposed to wear.”
Some nearby executives overheard and exchanged confused looks.
“B-Babe… w-what does this mean…?” Marco asked, his voice trembling, his face pale with fear. “Y-You’re the Chairwoman…?! You own Vanguard Empire?!”
“The company you’re so proud of? Yes, it’s mine,” I replied. I turned to Valerie, who was now shaking in fear. “And you, Valerie. Didn’t you tell my husband you’d look perfect together tonight because you both come from high society? What a pity—you’ll both be unemployed by tomorrow.”
“M-Madame Chairwoman… I didn’t know he was your husband! He was the one who flirted with me!” Valerie quickly betrayed him, stepping back as she cried in fear.
The Final Punishment
Marco dropped to his knees in front of me. In front of hundreds of guests, the man who had called me trash just hours ago now wept.
“Clara! Forgive me! I didn’t mean it! I was drunk when I burned your dress! I love you, Clara! We’re family!” he begged, sobbing as he tried to reach the hem of my gown.
Two of my bodyguards immediately stopped him.
“Don’t touch my dress, Marco. It might get dirty—just like you said earlier,” I replied sharply. I turned to Mr. Sebastian. “Mr. Sebastian, draft this man’s termination papers. Revoke his promotion, take back the company car, and make sure he’s blacklisted from every corporation in Asia. As for his personal assets… I want a full forensic audit. I will reclaim everything he built using my money.”
“Yes, Madame Chairwoman,” Mr. Sebastian answered.
“C-Clara! Please! I’ll have nowhere to go! I’ll be ruined!” Marco screamed as the guards forced him to stand.
I looked at him without a trace of emotion. “You told me earlier that I don’t belong in your world anymore. You’re right, Marco. Because your world is small—full of arrogance and fake power. My world is the one you work in.”
I turned my back on him.
“Throw that trash out. He’s ruining the atmosphere of my party,” I gave my final command before walking up to the stage to begin the formal ceremony.
Marco’s cries and desperate pleas echoed as he was dragged out of the grand ballroom. The night he thought would be the peak of his success became the very pit of his downfall.
And me?
I began sipping champagne, celebrating my freedom from a worthless man.
