Chapter 3: The Gala
Two weeks passed. Two weeks of transformation.
With the Sterling name, resources, and my brothers' connections, I built myself a new identity in the public eye: Ava Sterling, newly appointed VP of Sterling Media Group.
James personally signed off on the position. It wasn't charity—I had a business degree I'd never been allowed to use, and I was good.
Tonight was my debut.
The Annual City Business Gala.
Every major company would be represented. Every CEO, every investor, every socialite.
Including Daniel Cross.
I stood before the full-length mirror in my dressing room. The woman staring back at me was unrecognizable from the mousy, cowering wife who'd been discarded two weeks ago.
My gown was custom—midnight black, backless, with a slit that stopped just above danger. My hair was swept up, diamond earrings catching the light. The Sterling family crest pendant hung at my throat—a gift from Catherine that morning.
"You look like you're about to start a war," Marcus said from the doorway, arms crossed, smirking.
"I am," I replied.
The gala was held at The Meridian, the most exclusive venue in the city.
When I stepped out of the Sterling family's car, cameras flashed. Reporters surged forward.
"Ms. Sterling! Is it true you're the lost Sterling heir?"
"Ms. Sterling, over here!"
"Can you comment on your appointment to Sterling Media?"
I offered a practiced smile and walked the carpet, flanked by Ethan and James.
Inside, the ballroom glittered. I spotted familiar faces—business associates of Daniel's, people who had attended our wedding, people who had watched him belittle me at parties and said nothing.
Now they stared with wide eyes, whispering behind champagne glasses.
I was sipping sparkling water when I felt him approach.
"Ava?"
Daniel's voice was low, strained, disbelieving.
I turned slowly.
He looked like he'd seen a ghost. His eyes raked over me—the dress, the diamonds, the confidence—and I watched his brain try to reconcile this woman with the one he'd tossed aside.
"Daniel," I said pleasantly. "How are you? How's Lily?"
He didn't answer immediately. His jaw worked silently.
"What is this?" he finally managed. "Sterling? You're a Sterling?"
"Surprise," I said, tilting my head.
Behind him, Lily appeared in a pink dress that probably cost a tenth of my earrings. Her face was pale.
"Ava?" Lily whispered. "But… how…"
"Life is full of surprises, isn't it, Lily?" I said. "You taught me that."
Lily grabbed Daniel's arm, her nails digging in. "Daniel, let's go. I don't feel well."
But Daniel didn't move. His eyes were locked on me—calculating, recalculating.
I could practically see the dollar signs spinning in his pupils.
"Ava, listen—" he started.
"Mr. Cross." James appeared at my side, his hand settling on my shoulder. "I don't believe we've met. James Sterling. Ava's brother."
Daniel's face drained of color.
"If you'll excuse us," James continued, his smile razor-sharp, "my sister has important people to meet."
As James guided me away, I heard Lily hiss at Daniel: "Did you know about this?"
"How the hell would I know?" Daniel snapped back.
I smiled to myself and kept walking.
The evening was going perfectly. But the real moment came later.
The gala's host announced a new collaboration between Sterling Media and its partners. I was invited on stage to speak.
I stood at the podium, looking out at a sea of faces. I found Daniel's easily—he was at table twelve, rigid, Lily clutching his arm with white knuckles.
I delivered a flawless speech about innovation and partnership.
Then, as an afterthought, I smiled warmly and said, "I'd also like to extend an invitation to Cross Industries for a potential collaboration. After all, I believe in giving everyone a fair chance—no matter how small the company."
Laughter rippled through the room. Polite, devastating laughter.
Daniel's face went scarlet.
After the event, my phone lit up with a text from an unknown number.
*"Ava. We need to talk. Please. —Daniel"*
I stared at the message, feeling nothing.
Then I felt something after all.
Satisfaction.
But satisfaction wasn't enough. Not for what he did to me.
The real game hadn't even started yet.
And tomorrow morning, Daniel would discover that Sterling Media had just acquired thirty percent of his company's debt.
With the Sterling name, resources, and my brothers' connections, I built myself a new identity in the public eye: Ava Sterling, newly appointed VP of Sterling Media Group.
James personally signed off on the position. It wasn't charity—I had a business degree I'd never been allowed to use, and I was good.
Tonight was my debut.
The Annual City Business Gala.
Every major company would be represented. Every CEO, every investor, every socialite.
Including Daniel Cross.
I stood before the full-length mirror in my dressing room. The woman staring back at me was unrecognizable from the mousy, cowering wife who'd been discarded two weeks ago.
My gown was custom—midnight black, backless, with a slit that stopped just above danger. My hair was swept up, diamond earrings catching the light. The Sterling family crest pendant hung at my throat—a gift from Catherine that morning.
"You look like you're about to start a war," Marcus said from the doorway, arms crossed, smirking.
"I am," I replied.
The gala was held at The Meridian, the most exclusive venue in the city.
When I stepped out of the Sterling family's car, cameras flashed. Reporters surged forward.
"Ms. Sterling! Is it true you're the lost Sterling heir?"
"Ms. Sterling, over here!"
"Can you comment on your appointment to Sterling Media?"
I offered a practiced smile and walked the carpet, flanked by Ethan and James.
Inside, the ballroom glittered. I spotted familiar faces—business associates of Daniel's, people who had attended our wedding, people who had watched him belittle me at parties and said nothing.
Now they stared with wide eyes, whispering behind champagne glasses.
I was sipping sparkling water when I felt him approach.
"Ava?"
Daniel's voice was low, strained, disbelieving.
I turned slowly.
He looked like he'd seen a ghost. His eyes raked over me—the dress, the diamonds, the confidence—and I watched his brain try to reconcile this woman with the one he'd tossed aside.
"Daniel," I said pleasantly. "How are you? How's Lily?"
He didn't answer immediately. His jaw worked silently.
"What is this?" he finally managed. "Sterling? You're a Sterling?"
"Surprise," I said, tilting my head.
Behind him, Lily appeared in a pink dress that probably cost a tenth of my earrings. Her face was pale.
"Ava?" Lily whispered. "But… how…"
"Life is full of surprises, isn't it, Lily?" I said. "You taught me that."
Lily grabbed Daniel's arm, her nails digging in. "Daniel, let's go. I don't feel well."
But Daniel didn't move. His eyes were locked on me—calculating, recalculating.
I could practically see the dollar signs spinning in his pupils.
"Ava, listen—" he started.
"Mr. Cross." James appeared at my side, his hand settling on my shoulder. "I don't believe we've met. James Sterling. Ava's brother."
Daniel's face drained of color.
"If you'll excuse us," James continued, his smile razor-sharp, "my sister has important people to meet."
As James guided me away, I heard Lily hiss at Daniel: "Did you know about this?"
"How the hell would I know?" Daniel snapped back.
I smiled to myself and kept walking.
The evening was going perfectly. But the real moment came later.
The gala's host announced a new collaboration between Sterling Media and its partners. I was invited on stage to speak.
I stood at the podium, looking out at a sea of faces. I found Daniel's easily—he was at table twelve, rigid, Lily clutching his arm with white knuckles.
I delivered a flawless speech about innovation and partnership.
Then, as an afterthought, I smiled warmly and said, "I'd also like to extend an invitation to Cross Industries for a potential collaboration. After all, I believe in giving everyone a fair chance—no matter how small the company."
Laughter rippled through the room. Polite, devastating laughter.
Daniel's face went scarlet.
After the event, my phone lit up with a text from an unknown number.
*"Ava. We need to talk. Please. —Daniel"*
I stared at the message, feeling nothing.
Then I felt something after all.
Satisfaction.
But satisfaction wasn't enough. Not for what he did to me.
The real game hadn't even started yet.
And tomorrow morning, Daniel would discover that Sterling Media had just acquired thirty percent of his company's debt.