Chapter 231

Diana stood regally by the ornate door. Christina froze, never having seen her before.

"What's all the shouting?" Diana asked, her voice elegant.

The guard stammered, "Mrs. Beaumont, this lady says she's a member, but her name's not on the list."

Diana frowned. Panic seized Christina. Mrs. Beaumont! This was it. Rejection. Again.

"Add her," Diana declared. "Problem solved."

The guard, stunned, nodded. Christina stared, speechless, as Diana approached, a warm smile replacing the sternness. "You are...?"

"Christina Sullivan," Christina mumbled, her confidence shaky. The Sullivans’ influence had waned; she knew she didn't belong here. She'd practically begged her way in last time, showering favors on a business partner’s wife for an introduction. She’d assumed this exclusive club was a lifetime pass, a simple social gathering. She'd planned to bring Brittany, hoping for connections and, perhaps, a wealthy husband for her daughter. But after that first meeting, the invitations stopped. She’d only learned about this gathering through a quickly deleted social media post. Blocked.

Now, with the family’s fortunes dwindling and Gregory struggling, this club was Christina's last hope. She nervously awaited Diana's next words.

Diana smiled, taking Christina's hand. "Mrs. Sullivan, please, come in."

Surprised and relieved, Christina stepped inside. Suddenly, Brittany called, "Mom!"

Christina whirled around, waving frantically. "Brittany, hurry!"

Moments before, Brittany had wanted nothing to do with her mother. Now, she ran towards Christina, small steps hurried.

Christina eagerly introduced Brittany, "This is Diana Beaumont."

Brittany offered a polite greeting. Diana smiled, nodding. "Come in."

Brittany, worldly-wise, still gasped. Stepping inside felt like entering a magical garden, a stark contrast to the bleak winter outside.