Chapter 14 - The Invitation Sent
The news of Garrett leaving Susette sent shockwaves through the family, but Susette refused to back down. Instead of reflecting on her behavior, she went into hyper-drive, determined to maintain her social status and prove to everyone that she was the victim of an ungrateful, hostile family.
She doubled down on her social calendar, focusing all her energy on the upcoming Bergen County Charity Gala. She posted constantly on social media about her corporate sponsorship, styling herself as a philanthropist and society matriarch.
What she didn't know—what her father hadn't bothered to check—was who had been hired to cater the event.
Two weeks before the gala, Harvest & Hearth officially sent out the final event packets to all VIP table sponsors, including the seating charts, menu details, and venue instructions.
I personally oversaw the production of the printed collateral for Table One.
The gala committee had requested customized, silver-embossed place cards for all Platinum sponsors. I had my head designer print the cards using the exact same black calligraphy font that Susette had used on her Christmas table six weeks earlier.
When Susette’s father, Arthur, opened his official sponsor packet at his corporate office, he received a sleek, wax-sealed envelope containing the floor layout for Table One.
Enclosed inside was an official document signed by the Executive Director of the Charity Gala:
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“Harvest & Hearth Catering is proud to be the exclusive culinary partner for the Annual Bergen County Charity Gala. Executive Chef & Owner Wesley Vance will personally oversee all VIP seating arrangements and multi-course dining services for Platinum Sponsors.”
For the first time in six years, the chess board had completely turned.
