“I am sorry. These are no longer active.”
Mrs. Margaret stepped forward. “Do you know who we are?”
“I only know what is on the system, madam.”
Clara’s face fell. “This is impossible.”
Guests nearby began to glance at them. Femi’s face darkened with shame.
Then another car stopped.
Lillian stepped out.
She was dressed simply, but there was something deeper in the way she carried herself now. Calm. Settled. Untouchable.
The attendant at the premium entrance saw her and bowed slightly.
“Good evening, ma’am.”
Lillian handed over a dark premium invitation, the kind reserved for names that did not need introduction.
The gates opened at once.
“Please come in, ma’am.”
Mrs. Margaret’s mouth went dry. Clara looked ready to faint. Vanessa stared, speechless. Femi stood still.
That was no borrowed pass. That was no pity invitation. That was the kind of access people got only when they belonged near the center of power.
For the first time, the crowd began to suspect Lillian was not merely connected to powerful people.
She might be one of them.
Lillian walked inside without looking back.
In the main hall, she sat in the front row, in a seat reserved for the most honored guests.
Bianca Uba saw her and immediately walked over with 2 wealthy men and a woman behind her.
One man spoke first. “Excuse me, that seat is not for you.”
Lillian looked up calmly. “Is that so?”
“It is,” Bianca said. “Stand up.”
Lillian did not move.
Bianca’s voice sharpened. “You have embarrassed yourself enough. Do not add shamelessness to it.”
Before Lillian could answer, another voice came.
“She is staying there.”
It was Lawrence.
He stepped beside Lillian without hesitation.
Bianca looked from him to Lillian. “So you came with her?”
Lawrence said calmly, “I came because I was invited. I stayed because I chose to.”
Bianca laughed bitterly. “You keep doing this for her as if she is worth a war.”
“Be careful,” Lawrence said.
Leave a Comment