Olivia smiled gently.
"Then show me."
They walked toward the waiting car.
Behind them, the ballroom was slowly emptying.
But Eleanor remained near the entrance.
She watched her son leave with Olivia.
For the first time, she understood that she could not control every decision he made.
And she was beginning to realize that the real problem had never been Olivia's background.
It had been her own attitude.
CHAPTER 13: THE MORNING AFTER THE GALA
The following morning, the story of the charity gala had spread among several social circles.
Guests had discussed the announcement.
Some had shared photographs of Margaret and Olivia.
Others had talked about Eleanor's uncomfortable reaction.
A few people had even heard about the envelope.
Eleanor woke to several messages.
One friend asked whether everything was all right.
Another asked whether the Bennett family was still considering the foundation partnership.
Eleanor ignored the messages.
She sat in her bedroom, looking at the newspaper coverage on her tablet.
The headline celebrated Margaret Bennett's scholarship initiative.
Olivia appeared in one of the photographs.
Eleanor enlarged the image.
She remembered Olivia's calm expression.
She remembered the envelope.
She remembered telling her that she was not suitable for Alexander.
And she remembered how confidently she had believed those words.
Her phone rang.
It was Alexander.
"Mother, we need to talk."
Eleanor sighed.
"About last night?"
"Yes."
"Alexander, I don't want to discuss this over the phone."
"Then I'll come over."
He arrived forty minutes later.
Eleanor was waiting in the living room.
She looked composed.
"Sit down."
Alexander remained standing.
"I want to understand why you offered Olivia money."
Eleanor looked away.
"I was trying to protect you."
"From what?"
"From making a mistake."
"She's not a mistake."
Eleanor sighed.
"You don't understand what marriage means in our family."
Alexander shook his head.
"That's exactly the problem. You keep talking about our family as if it's a corporation."
Eleanor looked offended.
"Don't be disrespectful."
"I'm not being disrespectful. I'm telling you that Olivia deserves respect."
Eleanor remained silent.
Alexander continued.
"I love her. If you cannot accept that, you don't have to approve of our relationship. But you cannot insult her and expect me to pretend nothing happened."
For a long moment, Eleanor said nothing.
Then she quietly asked:
"Does she still want to be with you?"
Alexander looked down.
"That's something I need to earn."
CHAPTER 14: THE WOMAN WHO BUILT HER OWN EMPIRE
Meanwhile, Olivia returned to her office.
She worked at Bennett Advisory Partners, an independent financial consultancy that specialized in corporate restructuring and responsible investment.
Although she was Margaret's daughter, she had never held a senior position simply because of her family name.
She had started as an analyst.
She prepared reports, reviewed financial models, attended client meetings, and worked long hours.
Her colleagues respected her because she understood the details.
That morning, her assistant, Rachel, entered with a folder.