CHAPTER THREE ~ THE ENGAGEMENT

Violet Whitmore strolled into the banquet hall of Whitmore Hotel where her brother was holding his engagement dinner to Preston's second daughter. She hadn't been aware of an engagement until a few hours ago when a stakeholder had informed her he would speak to her tonight at her brother's engagement dinner. He must have been assuming she had been invited.

She couldn't believe the nerve of James to think he could get engaged without any of his siblings in attendance. She knew he didn't want her to get in contact with the Preston's, and that was exactly what she was going to do along with speaking to as many stakeholders as she could.

She knew she had gotten the attention of everyone. Coming late to a gathering of people was certainly an attention grabber; she knew that; she lived for attention. Hence the reason she was dressed to kill in the latest Prada collection; a short red sequined number and gold accessories decorated her ear lobe, neck, hands, and feet, sparkling as she moved under the chandeliers.

Feeling her brother's glare, Violet sashayed towards him, her smile perfectly in place.

"Congratulations brother," Violet said leaning in to kiss his cheeks. "Good job securing a relationship with the Preston" she whispered smirking.

Turning to her brother's bride, Violet exclaimed cheekily "Oh my gosh Charlotte, you look dashing". She wasn't one to dish out compliments except when it was completely necessary.

Charlotte returned her smile her face tight with annoyance she tried to hide, from her little investigation; she had discovered that the sibling didn't get along so well. She had been hoping to use it to her advantage. If there was one thing her father hated most aside from a man having a mistress was a divided home. She had been hoping to use the fact that none of his family had been present to change her father's mind; now she had to think of something else.

Maybe if she could catch them in an argument, it would work in her favor. If he had to get out of this, she had to get out now because once they tied the knot, getting off wouldn't be easy; Father frowned upon divorce as much as he frowned upon mistresses and illegal children.

Once again, the waiter took control of the room urging everyone to their designated seats so dinner could begin. Dinner was a luxurious affair consisting of a server dressed in black and white.

Violet smiled at her brother who was seated across from her, her green-blue eyes which were very similar to his crinkling at the corners. She had been pleased to see the fleeting annoyance on his face, as the seating arrangement had been altered to cater for her.

Servers moved around with practiced precision presenting the first course an artfully arranged salad of mixed greens, heirloom tomatoes, and light vinaigrette. The main course followed soon after, a succulent roasted lamb served with seasonal vegetables and a rich red wine sauce.

Violet flirted shamelessly with the guest seated by her side, the chairman of a AURORA department store and one of the silent shareholders of Whitmore entire. Eric Stanmore wasn't an easy man to approach. He was usually quiet and rarely appeared in gatherings and was known to avoid all manner of attention. What made him stand out more was the connection he had to Montgomery.

The Montgomery was the most influential and wealthiest family in New York. Compared to them, the Preston's were second tier and the Whitmore's were third tier. Everyone who was someone knew that the easiest way to meet Justin Montgomery was through Eric Stanmore, as they had been said to be best of friends in some articles and were always photographed together in the few events Justin attended.

Even though she was a married woman, she never let herself shy away from the male gaze. Violet Whitmore loved attention, no she craved it especially when it was something she could benefit from in the future and Eric Stanmore was an attention she knew would be useful to her. His connection to the Montgomerys and Preston's was something Violet needed to keep her claws into especially since her brother was already sinking his claws into the Preston's.

If only a pair of Prada shoes could attract the attention of every influential person Violet needed like it had caught the eyes of Eric.

Leaning closer, Violet sniffed. "is that amber pour homme?"

Eric smiled very pleasedly, as he chuckled softly. "You know your Prada scent"

"Thank you Mr. Stanmore" she smiled flirtatiously. "Will you be at the upcoming showcase?"

Everyone who followed the news knew he never missed a Prada showcase and was always given a front role seat but pretending to be ignorant was a violent thing.

"of course" he replied eagerly shoving a piece of meat into his mouth.

"Unfortunately, I couldn't secure an invite" She smiled cheekily at him, securing a piece of straying hair behind her ear.

"you can be my plus one" he announced quietly wiping his mouth with a napkin.

Violet had never been so pleased at getting something done as she was at securing an opportunity with Eric Stanmore. He could be a link to climb higher than their father had climbed.

She opened her mouth to respond to his invitation when the clinking of glasses caught the attention of the room as well as hers.

James Whitmore gave his signature smile that had one side of his cheeks deepening. Violet sighed inwardly as her brother made a toast. She didn't care about all he was saying she didn't care about the engagement party at all, she had come to make connections and she was already doing that.

She zoned out on her brother's speech and only raised her glass when he said 'cheers'

'Cheers indeed' Violet thought smiling into her champagne glass.

After dinner was finished, the guests began to leave. Violet walked out of the lobby of Whitmore Hotel to her car which was already waiting by the curb as her assistant held the door open. She was about to enter when her phone rang, she picked it up to see her mothers inlaw name flash across the screen.

What did the old bat want she wondered? They didn't get along at all so she was very sure she wasn't calling her to go shopping together or for a nice bonding time at seven am.

Clearing her throat, she shook the irritation from her voice and put on a smile that the woman couldn't see.

"good evening Mother"

"I want to see you at the finclair mansion tomorrow. Come with my grandkids" Mrs. Finclair replied completely ignoring her greetings.

As soon as she delivered her message, she hung up.

"Rude" Violet muttered under her breath as she got into the car.

She was already tired of playing nice with the old bat. Even though they and the Finclair were of the same financial class, the Finclair had political connections which made them stand out more than the Whitmore.

Violet couldn't think of a reason why her mother-in-law wanted her over. Except for birthdays or family events, she hadn't always invited her over; this invite was so out of the blue and weird.

Suddenly a beep from her abandoned phone had her scanning the screen for a text that came from her sister Judy.

Violet stared at the offending text, her hands gripped her phone tighter than they should have, and the fact that Judy kept involving herself in unpleasant situations was becoming irritating.

"go to Club 88" she commanded the driver, dialing Judy immediately.