Chapter 4 - The Anatomy of a Slap
Madison reached the edge of Lena’s circle,
her presence causing a momentary lull in the conversation.
The fashion editor looked at Madison as if she were a piece of gum stuck to the bottom of a very expensive shoe.
Lena turned,
her expression neutral,
her amber eyes waiting.
"Lena,"
Madison began,
her voice sounding thin and reedy.
"I...
I want to apologize.
I didn't know."
Lena tilted her head,
the crystal beads on her gown catching the light.
"You didn't know who I was,
Madison,"
Lena said,
her voice lacking any trace of malice,
which made the words even more devastating.
"But you knew who you were.
You knew I was a human being who worked in your home.
You knew I had a name and a life and feelings.
And you decided that because you paid me a salary,
those things didn't matter."
Madison stepped forward,
her face flushed.
"It was a joke!
We were just having fun!"
"Fun at the expense of someone you thought was powerless isn't a joke,
Madison,"
Lena replied.
"It’s a character flaw.
You didn't invite me here to be kind.
You invited me here so you could laugh at a 'maid' in a room full of millionaires.
You wanted to see me cower in the corner in a cheap dress so you could feel bigger."
The circle of socialites moved back slightly,
leaving the two women in a spotlight of their own making.
"I gave you a job!"
Madison hissed,
her desperation turning into a bitter,
ugly rage.
"I paid your rent!
You should be grateful!"
Lena smiled then,
a slow,
sad movement of her lips.
"You didn't give me a job,
Madison.
You bought a service.
And as for being grateful...
I’m grateful that I don't have to spend another Tuesday morning in your house.
I’m grateful that I’ll never have to listen to you talk about people as if they are disposable."
Lena reached into the small,
ivory clutch at her side and pulled out a check.
It was made out to the charity,
and the amount was written in seven figures.
"This is the Hart family’s donation for the evening,"
Lena said,
handing it to the charity director who was standing nearby.
"On one condition."
The director took the check,
his eyes widening at the numbers.
"Anything,
Miss Hart."
"I want the Whitlock family removed from the donor list,"
Lena said,
her eyes never leaving Madison’s.
"And I want them escorted from the building.
This is a charity event for the underprivileged,
and I find their presence here...
inappropriate."
The word landed like a physical blow.
Madison’s mouth fell open.
"You can't do that!
Grant is a major sponsor!"
"Grant’s sponsorship is currently being audited by my mother’s legal team,"
Lena said calmly.
"It seems his 'unique' business practices don't align with the Hart family’s ethics."
The security guards,
sensing the change in the room’s hierarchy,
stepped forward.
"Mrs. Whitlock,"
the lead guard said,
May you like
his voice firm.
"It’s time to go."
