Chapter 9: The Public Humiliation
Patricia Voss had always loved the annual Spring Gala at the Minneapolis Institute of Art. It was one of the few events where she could still hold court as the elegant matriarch of the Voss family.
This year, she arrived in a custom gown and wearing the Cartier necklace she had tried — and failed — to buy at the previous charity auction. She had borrowed it from a friend for the evening, determined to project strength and dignity.
What she didn’t know was that Claire had made sure several influential people at the gala were aware of the truth.
As Patricia moved through the crowd, smiling and greeting old acquaintances, she began to notice the change in how people looked at her. The smiles were tighter. The conversations shorter. Some people even turned away when they saw her approaching.
Then came the moment she had been dreading.
Near the champagne tower, Patricia ran into Eleanor Whitfield, one of the most powerful society women in Minneapolis. Eleanor had always been polite to her in the past.
Tonight, Eleanor looked at her with open disdain.
“Patricia,” she said coolly. “I heard about the auction. How embarrassing for you.”
Patricia forced a smile.
“It was just a misunderstanding with the card. These things happen.”
Eleanor raised an eyebrow.
“A misunderstanding that cost you fifty thousand dollars in front of half the city? And now I hear your son’s ex-wife is the one who canceled it. How… interesting.”
Patricia’s face flushed.
“Claire has always been vindictive. She never understood our family.”
Eleanor took a slow sip of champagne.
“From what I’ve heard, Claire understood your family quite well. She just decided she was done funding it.”
She leaned in slightly.
“Be careful, Patricia. People are starting to talk. And in this town, once the talk starts, it’s very hard to stop.”
Patricia stood frozen as Eleanor walked away.
Across the room, she saw several people watching her. Some were whispering. One woman even raised her phone and took a photo.
Patricia’s hands began to shake.
For the first time in her life, she felt truly small.
She left the gala early, before dinner was even served.
By the time she got home, the story had already begun spreading through Minneapolis high society.
May you like
The untouchable Patricia Voss was no longer untouchable.
And everyone knew exactly who was responsible.
