PART 2
The soft jazz music continued to play, but the air near the main entrance went perfectly still.
Lisa strode through the hall with a casual elegance that made the diamond and emerald necklace around her neck look absolutely authentic.
Ava stared at her, completely unable to find her voice.
Chloe, Harper, and Savannah quickly approached, holding their breath in shock. The woman they’d expected to see humiliated was standing there, looking like she owned the entire place.
“Good evening, Mrs. Covington, your party was wonderful,” Lisa said graciously.
Ava swallowed hard, stammering, “Lisa, how do you wear that?”
“You invited me, so I came,” Lisa replied with a sweet smile.
Whispers spread through the well-heeled crowd when a prominent local bank executive asked who the mysterious woman was. Zachary approached from the bar and set down his glass.
Zachary already knew the incredible truth.
Three weeks earlier, he’d discovered an old newspaper article about the legendary Montana-based Bartlett family business dynasty. The article included an old photograph of Easton Bartlett, his late daughter, and a hazel-eyed girl named Lisa Bartlett. People& Society
She was the sole heir to one of the country’s largest livestock and energy fortunes.
Zachary remained silent because he knew his mother would never understand that Lisa had chosen this humble life herself.
That same morning, Easton Bartlett had called Zachary directly.
“My granddaughter has been cleaning your floors for three years,” the old man had said.
“I am aware of that, Mr. Bartlett,” Zachary had replied respectfully.
“Tonight, then, you will have to choose which side of history you will be on,” Easton warned.
Now Zachary understood the situation perfectly.
At that moment, the head butler approached the grand staircase, waited for the music to stop, and raised his voice.
“Ladies and gentlemen, at the express invitation of Mrs. Ava Covington, we have the honor of welcoming Miss Lisa Bartlett,” the butler announced loudly.
The silence that followed was deafening.
Lisa slowly descended the sixteen marble steps, knowing every single imperfection of the stone because she had cleaned them on her knees.
When she reached the floor, Ava looked pale and completely caught in her own cruel prank.
Suddenly, the front doors swung open and Easton Bartlett entered the room with an authoritative presence that forced everyone to assume a more composed posture.
“Thank you for inviting my niece, Ava; it’s a gesture my family will never forget,” Easton said coolly.
Ava tried to force a smile, whispering, “Mr. Bartlett, I had no idea.”
“Of course not, because Lisa is a very discreet girl,” Easton interrupted.
Zachary walked over and stood next to them, earning a glare from Ava.
“Did you know this all along?” Ava hissed.
“Yes, I did,” Zachary replied openly.
Easton addressed the entire room, saying, “My granddaughter has completed her personal journey and tonight she officially takes over the family business.”
The crowd erupted into a frantic murmur.
Ava realized her prank was ruined, but she didn’t know that Lisa had brought a black folder full of dangerous evidence.
Continued on the next page
