Chapter 18: Chad’s Misfortune
Richard wiped the front of his suit with a damp linen napkin while issuing a warning. “Ladies, I’m not sure how things worked in your time, but here in New York, publicly defaming someone in front of this many witnesses can have serious legal consequences.”
Mrs. Weatherfield finally looked at the disheveled man before her. His damp hair clung to his forehead, and his expensive tie hung crookedly, giving him the appearance of a drunken, down–and–out painter living under a bridge..
Such a man was either a vagrant or one of those self–proclaimed fashionable artists–neither of which held any significance in the eyes of the Weatherfield family.
“Do you even know who you’re talking to?” Mrs. Weatherfield scoffed. “With just one word, I could make New York a far less hospitable place for you
Turning to Amelia, she continued coldly, “I’m giving you two choices. Tonight, you’ll kneel in Chad’s study and sign over custody. Tomorrow, you’ll take your little lover to the municipal office and secure the coastal project approvals for us.”
She paused for effect, her tone growing sharper. “Or, you can keep fighting the divorce case. But if you do, you’ll walk away with nothing. No company will hire you, and no one will dare to help you. You’ll be reduced to a pathetic vagrant.”
Amelia didn’t flinch, her voice steady. T’ll see the divorce case through to the end. If you want to retaliate afterward, I’ll be ready. Just don’t regret it when the time comes.”
Mrs. Weatherfield sneered. “The only regret I have is letting you cross the threshold of our family.”
Amelia’s lips curled into a sharp smile. “If Chad’s grandparents could see the Weatherfield family now, they’d be the ones filled with regret. Regret for allowing you to marry Chad’s father. The Weatherfield name is a disgrace.”
For the first time, Mrs. Weatherfield’s anger boiled to the surface. Before she could retort, Richard, now cleaned up, stood and asked coldly, “Mrs. Weatherfield, is this how your family treats municipal officials? If so, I’m relieved I didn’t hand the city project over to your family.”
The implication was clear: if the Weatherfield family couldn’t align with his governance philosophy, they wouldn’t be getting the municipal project.
Mrs. Weatherfield stared at him, stunned. This bedraggled man dared to act as if he were someone important. She let out a derisive laugh. “And who do you think you are, exactly? The mayor of New York?” Their argument drew the attention of the restaurant manager, who approached nervously upon seeing Richard’s disheveled appearance. “Mr. Mayor, are you all right? Should I call the police?”
“The mayor?”
Mrs. Weatherfield froze, her eyes narrowing on Richard as she processed the revelation. This disheveled man, standing before her with coffee stains on his suit, was none other than Richard Grayson, the impeccably polished mayor of New York City she’d seen so often in the papers.
Her mind raced. Joseph had been fixated on the municipal redevelopment project for months. Now, she’d doused the mayor in coffee and insulted him. Her actions might cost the Weatherfield family any chance. at securing the project. Worse, she could become the family’s scapegoat. Panic instantly consumed her.
“Mr. Mayor, this is all a misunderstanding she stammered.
Her friends, sensing the shift in tide, quietly slipped away, heels clicking as they disappeared into the crowd.
Mrs. Weatherfield, her voice trembling, tried to salvage the situation. “Mr. Mayor, please forgive me. I…I suffer from bouts of dementia. That must be why I acted so rudely just now…”
Richard adjusted his ruined tie and said curtly, “You should apologize to Miss Ainsworth instead”
Reluctant but aware of the stares drilling into her, Mrs. Weatherfield hesitated, then forced herself to mutter, “Miss Ainsworth, I’m sorry.”
Amelia leaned in, her voice sharp. I can’t hear you.”
Mrs. Weatherfield’s face flushed with humiliation. She took a deep breath, fighting the dizziness threatening to overtake her in a shrill voice, she repeated, “Miss Ainsworth, I apologize for my earlier behavior. It was entirely my fault.”
Amelia nodded coolly, her tone unapologetic. “Apology accepted. Now, leave.”
Mrs. Weatherfield’s expression soured further, but under Richard’s unfaltering gaze, she dared not linger. She turned and walked away, her pace quickening until she vanished.
Richard watched her retreat without comment, then turned to Amelia, his voice softening. “You’ve been through a lot.”
Amelia’s expression was calm. “I was foolish before, that’s all
H
Back at the Weatherfield estate, Mrs. Weatherfield stormed into Joseph’s study, where Chad was poring over the municipal project plans.
Both men looked up in surprise. Chad frowned. “Mother, what’s the matter?”
Mrs. Weatherfield, still fuming, exclaimed, “That wretched Amelia! She’s the reason I spilled coffee on the mayor! Now he knows it was me–this is just perfect!”
Her indignation swelled as she spoke, twisting the narrative in her favor. In her version, she had been innocently carrying coffee when Amelia intentionally bumped into her, causing the “accident”
Chad listened, his temples throbbing as his mother’s story unraveled with clear exaggeration. Ever since his divorce, every bit of misfortune seemed to circle back to Amelia
Joseph, however, knew his wife far too well. “You fool!” he snapped. “I must have been blind to marry you.”
Before Mrs. Weatherfield could respond, Joseph raised his hand to strike her. Chad intervened, holding him back. “Stop. The project’s already stalled due to regulations. We still have time to fix this.” Joseph sighed deeply, waving his wife off. “Get out. I don’t want to see you today.”
The next morning, Amelia stood before her mirror, adjusting her tailored suit. Her heart swelled with a mix of nostalgia and anticipation.
Elise peeked into the room. “All set? Today’s your big return to the firm ”
Amelia smiled faintly. “No surprise parties, Elise. I mean it.”
Elise grinned. “Relax. We’re just introducing you to everyone. After all, we have to show off our newest partner.”
Together, they drove to the heart of Manhattan, where the Fairfield & Rubinger name gleamed atop a towering skyscraper.
inside, the firm buzzed with energy–phones rang, conversations hummed, and people hurried about.
Fairfield himself greeted Amelia at the elevator with a bouquet. Handing her the flowers, he embraced her warmly. “Welcome home.”
Thank you” she replied her smile genuine
ather everyone’s attention. “This is our newest partn
partner Amelia Ainsworth. She’s a Stanford Law graduate with a stellar track record. I’d list her achievements, but
her the introductions Fairfield brought Amelia to a spacious, luxurious office. This was mine, but it’s yours now. At Fairfield & Rubinger, we believe in ment.” Amelia accepted graciously “Thank you”
he served into her chait envisio ing her first case, a knock came at the door
Come in the calle
Smells raided an excrom “Anot
Else grinned Turns out he was soomed at a café yesterday meeting with Chad’s lawyer
“You’t love this. There’s a lawyer snooping around about some legal tit , Michael”
ela couldn’t help but loup
absurdity. Before she could respond. Elise added, her voice gleeful “Which means Chad’s looking for you to help him fight your divorce case! I can’t wait to see his face when hereas the Tegal star he’s searching for is your
