Chapter 3 - Chapter 3 - The Housewarming Invitation Ignored
Three weeks flew by in a blur of corporate dominance, high-stakes board meetings, and meticulous revenge planning. Villeroy Luxury Group had successfully closed three major international mergers, cementing my position not just as an heir, but as a ruthless industry titan. Yet, despite my hectic schedule, I hadn't forgotten the golden-embossed invitation I had tossed onto their kitchen table.
Two days before the scheduled housewarming party at my new Blackwood estate, Victoria handed me a printed status report regarding Mark and Linda.
“They completely ignored the invitation, Ms. Villeroy,” Victoria reported, adjusting her glasses. “According to our surveillance, when Mark saw the gold-embossed card on their trash can, he laughed it off, called you delusional, and threw it into the incinerator. They are currently planning a weekend trip to a cheap local motel to celebrate being ‘rid of the dead weight,’ funded entirely by Mark’s maxed-out credit cards.”
“Of course they did,” I chuckled, sipping my espresso. “Arrogance is always the loudest right before the fall. Did you send the second notice?”
“Yes, ma’0am. Sent via certified courier directly to his office and his mother’s home. It includes a specific clause: failure to attend or acknowledge the transition of property ownership will result in immediate legal default.”
“Wonderful,” I smiled coldly. “Make sure our corporate legal team is positioned at the Blackwood estate this Saturday night. We are going to have very special guests whether they want to come or not.”
On Saturday evening, the Blackwood estate—a sprawling modern masterpiece of glass, steel, and minimalist luxury situated on a private cliff overlooking the roaring ocean—glowed like a beacon of wealth against the dark coastline. Inside the grand ballroom, high-profile executives, politicians, and social elites mingled softly, sipping vintage champagne and listening to a live classical string quartet.
I wore a floor-length, backless crimson silk gown designed by our lead house couture, accented by a diamond necklace that sparkled under the recessed crystal chandeliers. I moved through the crowd with effortless grace, accepting congratulations on both my return to the public eye and the massive expansion of the Villeroy portfolio.
At exactly 8:00 PM, the massive smart-security gates at the entrance of the Blackwood estate chimed. Victoria appeared at my elbow, her expression a mix of professional decorum and suppressed amusement.
“Ms. Villeroy, our uninvited guests have arrived at the gate. They tried to sneak in through the service entrance, thinking they could crash what they assumed was a ‘neighbor’s party,’ but security flagged them immediately.”
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“Let them in,” I instructed smoothly, raising my champagne flute. “Bring them straight to the main courtyard. It’s time for the grand unveiling.”
Outside, shivering in the crisp autumn air, Mark and Linda stood bewildered. They had driven past the gates expecting a modest suburban cottage, only to find themselves staring up at a multi-million-dollar architectural marvel guarded by private security. They had come to Blackwood out of sheer morbid curiosity, convinced that my talk of a “new place” was a delusional fantasy. They were about to learn the most expensive lesson of their lives.
