Chapter 4 The Smell of Thirty Thousand

The next evening, the Cregger Residence was brightly lit.

Luxury cars filled half the courtyard. Big shots and celebrities from the venture capital circle were all gathered here.

Eleanor was clad in an expensive white haute couture gown. Jacintha even managed to borrow a diamond necklace for her to wear for the occasion.

She swanned through the crowd with a champagne flute like a proper lady.

Jacintha was right there beside her, taking every opportunity she could to introduce Eleanor to every guest they came across.

"This is my daughter, Eleanor. She helped Mr. Cregger years ago. He's going to reward her tonight. It's a pleasure to make your acquaintance!"

By contrast, I was wearing an old hoodie and washed-out jeans. I stood in the corner looking not unlike a grungy janitor, utterly out of place.

The guests kept shooting me looks of scorn.

"She's actually showing her face here?"

"I heard that she can't even afford her own rent. She probably came to try her luck to see if she can leech off Mr. Cregger."

"How shameless!"

I held a glass of water, silently listening to their criticism.

…

The banquet began at 8 p.m. sharp as that was when Julian descended from the second floor. He wore a black suit, his spine ramrod straight. His expression was as cold as ever.

His presence immediately brought the venue to a hush.

Luke followed behind him with a tray covered with a red cloth.

Eleanor's fingers tightened around the champagne flute in anticipation.

Julian marched toward the center of the room. His gaze swept across the crowd before locking in on her face.

"I hope that everyone here today can act as my witness." He raised a hand, and Luke instantly pulled the red cloth off the tray, revealing a check for ten million.

The crowd gasped in surprise.

Eleanor's eyes were instantly reddened with emotion. She lifted her dress and walked over to the man. "Thank you so much, Mr. Cregger. It was a small gesture, really. At the time, I just thought that I couldn't leave a man in need."

In the crowd, Jacintha dramatically wiped away her tears, but it didn't stop her from dragging my name through the mud. "My girl, Elle, has been an angel since she was little, unlike a certain person who turned her back on her family for money."

She glared at me and needled, "Mildred, at this point, you might as well apologize to Eleanor now. Admit to Mr. Cregger that you're a fraud. I'm sure a kind man like him would forgive you and let the matter slide."

Her words drew the guests' gaze to my face.

Some of them were looking at me with contempt, some were mocking me, and some were gloating at my misfortune.

Eleanor stood beside Julian with her chin high, shooting me a victorious look. Her smile was sickeningly sweet as she said, "Mom's right, Millie. Apologize, and I'll give you $10,000 to pay your rent once I receive the reward."

I set the glass on the table and marched over to the center of the room, demanding, "Why should I apologize when all I've done is speak the truth?"

Jacintha screamed her lungs out on the sidelines, "She's just refusing to face the grim reality! Mr. Cregger, call the security guards!"

He dismissed her words, his calm gaze searching for answers as he scrutinized my face. "Ms. Murphy, do you have anything to add?"

He picked up the check, looking ready to hand it over to Eleanor at any time.

I couldn't tear my eyes off the check.

I slowly reached inside my pocket and touched a small, stiff plastic packet.

It was the most valuable thing I owned, and I had brought it with me before coming here.

I spoke before Julian could hand the check over.

My voice wasn't loud, yet it carried a firm determination that echoed across the room.

"Mr. Cregger, since Eleanor got every detail right, including the cracked watch face and a cup of tea..." I paused for a second and locked eyes with my cousin. "I reckon she has also told you about what the money smelled like as well."