Chapter 6 - A Confrontation in Public
The following afternoon was the annual Town Founders' Gala—a high-society charity event held at the grand country club. It was the exact type of event Ledger used to solidify his reputation as a benevolent pillar of the community. He had donated thousands of dollars of stolen money to the local orphanage and hospital, ensuring his face was plastered on the front page of the local paper.
Maren didn't stay hidden in her freezing house. She washed her face with cold water, put on her neatest, albeit faded, Sunday dress, and walked right through the front doors of the country club.
The ballroom was dazzling, filled with crystal chandeliers, champagne towers, and the elite of the town. When Maren walked in, a hush fell over the immediate crowd. A widow in a faded dress stood out like a dark stain on a white silk sheet.
Ledger was standing near the stage, a glass of expensive champagne in his hand, surrounded by the mayor and several prominent business owners. When he spotted Maren, his smile faltered for a fraction of a second before recovering into its usual mask of patronizing concern.
"Maren, my dear," Ledger said loudly, stepping forward so the surrounding guests could hear him. "What a surprise. If you needed assistance with the children today, you only had to call. There was no need to come down here looking for a handout."
A few of the wealthy women in the crowd whispered behind their hands, throwing looks of deep pity at Maren.
Maren didn't flinch. She walked straight up to her brother-in-law, stopping just two feet away from him.
"I’m not here for a handout, Ledger," Maren said, her voice clear, resonant, and carrying across the quiet room. "I’m here to hand you an invitation. My legal counsel has requested your presence at the Vance Law Offices tomorrow morning at ten o'clock. We are going to settle the matter of Whit's estate and that... eleven thousand dollar debt you love to talk about."
Ledger's face went completely pale, the color draining from his cheeks so fast it looked like he had seen a ghost. The mention of Harrison Vance's name sent a visible tremor through his jaw.
"Maren, you are clearly unwell," Ledger hissed under his breath, stepping closer to grab her arm forcefully. "Let’s step outside before you embarrass yourself further."
Maren smoothly stepped back, evading his grasp. She looked around at the staring crowd of high-society onlookers.
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"I will see you tomorrow at ten, Ledger," Maren said, her voice dripping with an icy, calm confidence he had never seen in her before. "And don't forget to bring your accounting books. All of them."
She turned on her heel and walked out of the ballroom, leaving Ledger standing frozen under the bright crystal chandeliers, his hands visibly shaking as he spilled champagne over his pristine leather shoes.
