Chapter 7 - Rebuilding the Crown
By Saturday afternoon, the apartment was completely silent. The heavy oak front door stood open as two professional movers carried out the last of Julien’s cheap plastic storage bins and Chloé’s overflowing garment bags.
I stood in the center of the living room, holding a glass of sparkling mineral water. The herringbone parquet floor was clean once again—the stray strands of my sheared hair had been swept away, replaced by the polished reflection of the afternoon sun.
My phone buzzed with a notification from my banking app: Deposit received: Q3 dividend distribution, €480,000.
I smiled. My empire wasn't just surviving; it was thriving on a scale Julien could never have comprehended in his wildest, most arrogant corporate dreams.
Later that afternoon, I drove over to our flagship salon on Rue de la République. As I walked through the double glass doors, the entire staff—twelve stylists, two receptionists, and Sophie from operations—turned and broke into sudden, spontaneous applause.
Thomas stepped forward holding a magnificent bouquet of white orchids and red roses. "To the real queen of Lyon," Thomas declared, bowing slightly with theatrical flair. "May your scissors always stay sharp and your enemies stay far away."
I laughed out loud, feeling a profound sense of lightness wash over me. The dark, suffocating years of living in Julien’s shadow felt like a lifetime ago—a distant nightmare that had somehow forged me into something unbreakable.
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"Thank you, everyone," I said, addressing the room with warmth and pride. "To celebrate our Paris expansion and a new chapter for Élise & Co., salon services are closed for the rest of the day. Dinner and champagne at Le Gout de Lyon is on me tonight!"
Cheers erupted through the salon, filling the high-ceilinged space with joyous laughter, music, and the bright promise of tomorrow.
