Chapter 14 - The Charity GalaThe Ritz-Carlton ballroom glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.
Hollywood executives.
Billionaires.
Politicians.
Celebrities.
Everyone who mattered was there.
Maya stood onstage in a midnight-blue gown.
Her speech focused on integrity, accountability, and rebuilding trust.
Then Eleanor stood.
She seized a microphone.
"Integrity?"
The room fell silent.
Eleanor smiled.
"How inspiring."
Maya looked at her.
Eleanor continued.
"Perhaps you should tell everyone where you really came from."
Whispers spread.
"She grew up in foster care."
A few people gasped.
Eleanor's smile widened.
"A street orphan pretending to be royalty."
Silence.
Maya looked around the ballroom.
Then she smiled.
Not nervously.
Not defensively.
Almost peacefully.
She walked toward Eleanor.
"Thank you."
May you like
Eleanor blinked.
"For giving me the opportunity to tell them myself."
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