Chapter 6 - The Dinner at the Estate
The victory over Damian was swift, but the true battle for Ava began three weeks later at the Sterling Family Estate in Greenwich, Connecticut.
Every year, Alexander’s grandmother, Lady Eleanor Sterling—the formidable seventy-eight-year-old matriarch of the family—hosted a private family dinner to evaluate potential corporate heirs and review the trust holdings.
The grand dining room was illuminated by dozens of silver candelabras. Surrounding the long mahogany table sat Alexander’s cousins, board members, and several prominent socialites, including Victoria Langford, who had managed to secure an invitation through her father's political connections.
Ava sat at the place of honor to Alexander’s right, wearing a tasteful navy dress.
Lady Eleanor, sitting at the head of the table, adjusted her pearl necklace and set her fork down, her sharp blue eyes fixing directly on Ava.
"So, Miss Knox," Eleanor spoke, her raspy voice cutting through the quiet clinking of silverware. "My grandson tells me you worked in event planning before your... sudden engagement."
"Yes, Lady Eleanor," Ava replied politely, maintaining steady eye contact. "I worked for Bellmere Events for two years."
Victoria Langford let out a soft, rehearsed laugh from across the table. "Oh, don't be modest, Ava. Tell your grandmother what you really did before that. The coffee shop in Brooklyn? The medical billing data entry?"
A quiet gasp rippled through the older family members at the table.
Victoria smiled triumphantly, tilting her glass. "We were all so surprised when Alexander announced the news. After all, the Sterling name has always been associated with tradition, status, and refined heritage. It must be quite an adjustment moving from a tiny basement to a penthouse."
Ava felt the cold pressure of every eye in the room turning toward her. Alexander opened his mouth to intervene, his jaw clenching with anger, but Ava gently placed her hand over his under the table, giving him a subtle squeeze.
She looked directly at Victoria.
"It is an adjustment, Victoria," Ava said smoothly, her voice calm and remarkably poise. "Working two jobs while studying taught me the exact value of every dollar. It taught me how to manage a budget when things are difficult, how to respect the people who work behind the scenes, and how to spot people who rely entirely on their parents' money to feel important."
Alexander stared at her, a look of pure, unadulterated admiration flashing across his face.
Several older cousins choked back snickers into their linen napkins. Victoria’s face flushed bright red, her mouth opening and closing like a fish out of water.
Lady Eleanor stayed quiet for three long seconds. Then, a slow, rare smile cracked across the old matriarch's weathered face.
She brought her hands together, clapping softly. "Well spoken, my dear. A woman who knows the value of labor is worth ten heiresses who only know how to spend what they didn't earn."
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Lady Eleanor raised her crystal goblet toward Ava. "Welcome to the family, Ava."
Alexander leaned closer to Ava, his breath warm against her ear as the family toasted. "I told you that you were remarkable," he whispered, his voice laced with an emotion that went far beyond their fake business agreement.
