The Guest List By Lucy Foley Novels & Stories

“Time isn’t on our side.” Minnie swallowed hard. Four days. She hadn’t even told Ellie yet. Her head spun. “I’ll need your guest list today,” Marlena continued. “Invitations are being couriered out by the evening.” Minnie let out a hollow laugh. “Guest list?” Marlena raised an eyebrow. “I don’t have a guest list,” Minnie admitted. “There’s no one to send an invitation to. Just… Ellie. My roommate. She’s like a sister, but… that’s it.”

We looked like the power couple the tabloids once idolized, but now it was on our terms. The gala was held in a grand hall overlooking the valley, strings of lights twinkling like stars. Guests mingled, glasses clinking, air thick with perfume and ambition. Felicia greeted us with a saccharine smile, her red dress screaming for attention. "Ethan, Lila—glad you came. No hard feelings about the council squabbles?" Her eyes lingered on me, probing.

I admit. Lily’s expression softens completely. “They won’t and if anyone tries to make them feel that way, I will personally dismantle them.” I laugh. “I believe you.” The doors open and Alex walks in, jacket still perfectly in place, expression composed. “How bad is it?” he asks dryly. “We’ve entered planning mode,” Lily replies. He nods slowly like he’s bracing for impact. “Guest list?” “We are finalizing it,” I say. He sits beside me and glances at the screen Lily turns toward him.

“Mr Cole… the final guest list was just confirmed. Billionaire Peter Grant and his fiancee, Maria Lopez have also accepted their invitation. They will be there too.” Esther’s blood ran cold. The gala wasn’t just a meeting but a collision. And all of them were about to be in the same room at last. “What’s it going to be like, being in a room with the people who made her past life miserable?” Esther murmured to herself.

“And I see adults standing close enough to make sure they stay where they are placed.” Elaine’s pen stilled. Daniel’s expression did not change, but something in his gaze deepened. “That is not a small observation,” he said. “It is not proof.” “No.” “But it is not nothing.” “No,” Daniel said. “It is not.” Elaine shifted the last page forward. “There is one more list. Closing reception guests. It was printed in a society column after the residency ended. Patricia Lang is there. Margaret Grant is there.” Leah already knew what was coming from the way Elaine paused.

I don’t understand their angle though and that is what scares me most. “It’s just as well, there are a few young people I want to introduce you to.” I inwardly groan again and shoot a discreet text to my secretary to get the guest list for tomorrow night to see if I can get ahead of the formalities. It takes about three minutes for her to supply it. When her name pops up on the guest list, I don’t rage or get angry. I simply note it, impressed by the balls on the man in front of me. I make a point to flag security when I arrive at the gala, and tell them not to let her past the foyer. It does no good though, she’s allowed through anyway.

“Inviting you was Lucy's idea. I knew nothing about it. I've always wanted to invite you myself but wasn't sure you'd come. Lucy managed to get you here though." "Miss Garnett, why don't you attend to the other guests? I'd like to be alone." Charlotte's face briefly darkened before she hurried away. Sarah observed the hall. A huge screen dominated the center, probably for displaying photos or videos of Lucy. Beyond the Chancer family's guests, many reporters were taking photos. Everyone wore extravagant formal wear, eager to stand out. Most guests had arrived, but still no sign of Jane. As Sarah pondered this, a commotion arose at the entrance. First came a young woman in a pink dress, looki

She snapped, irritated. "Hedley Hart, are you mute now?" "County Clerk's Office." Silence. Then that tiny gasp—like she just remembered her own promise. The deal: after ninety-nine rejections, she'd show up for the hundredth. Say yes. Instead, she'd gone to a concert with Pierre. "I... wait for me. I'll drive over." Click. End call. I canceled the ride. Not out of hope though. Snow started falling—hard and fast.