Eleanor couldn’t answer. The woman who had spent decades presenting herself as an untouchable member of high society was suddenly unable to pay for the celebration she’d organized.
Then someone standing beside the ballroom windows noticed something happening outside.
“Isn’t that Chloe’s new Mercedes?”
Guests hurried toward the glass and looked down at the hotel’s circular driveway. A large tow truck had arrived beside Chloe’s metallic-rose Mercedes-AMG convertible, which still had an enormous pink bow attached to its hood.
Two recovery workers secured the vehicle and began loading it onto the truck. Several guests immediately raised their phones, recording the expensive birthday present being taken away.
Chloe rushed to the window and watched in horror as the car disappeared onto the flatbed.
“Mom! You told me David was a worthless mechanic! How could he take my car?”
She collapsed onto the ballroom floor, crying as her carefully planned celebration disintegrated around her. Meanwhile, relatives began leaving, unwilling to remain associated with the growing scandal.
