Chapter 6 - The Palmetto Heritage Gala
The annual Palmetto Heritage Foundation Gala was the pinnacle of Charleston’s social calendar. Held in the grand ballroom of the historic Mills House Hotel, the event drew state senators, wealthy industrialists, preservation society presidents, and the old-guard aristocracy.
Conrad arrived early, standing near the reception receiving line beside his mother, attempting to project an air of unshakable aristocratic composure despite the whispering surrounding the church's public correction.
Then the heavy glass doors of the ballroom opened, and the murmurs died down completely.
Maeve entered on the arm of her father—fully recovered from his surgery, walking with dignified strength in a tailored tuxedo. Maeve wore a breathtaking emerald silk gown that seemed to capture every light in the chandelier, her dark hair swept up in a sophisticated chignon, adorned with antique diamond earrings that had belonged to her maternal grandmother.
She did not look like a woman hiding from scandal. She looked like a queen reclaiming her throne.
As they walked down the grand staircase, the head of the foundation board—an elderly philanthropist named Senator Montgomery—stepped forward to greet them personally, bypassing Conrad entirely to take Maeve’s hand and kiss her knuckles.
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"Maeve, my dear, it is wonderful to see you looking so radiant," the senator said loudly enough for half the room to hear. "And your father’s recovery is nothing short of miraculous. We are so fortunate to have your family anchoring our heritage preservation efforts."
Celeste watched from across the room, her wine glass gripped so tightly her knuckles turned white. Conrad stood frozen, realizing in that single moment that Charleston society didn't care about gossip; they cared about power, poise, and pedigree—and Maeve had just demonstrated she held all three.
