The pause between “pleased” and the rest of the sentence was heavy with implication.
“Leo has always been a boy of such generous spirit,” Eleanor continued, walking slowly around the table, commanding the room’s attention. “He sees the best in everyone, even when… others might not see much at all.”
A few of her business associates chuckled softly. Anna felt a hot flush creep up her neck. Leo stiffened beside her, his hand gripping his napkin.
“Of course, as a loving mother,” Eleanor went on, her voice turning syrupy sweet, “I want my son to have only the very best. I have spent my life building a legacy, ensuring that he never has to struggle, never has to worry about the harsh realities of the world.” She paused, theatrically selecting her next words. “And so, his father and I have decided to give the newlyweds a very special wedding gift.”
She gestured to an assistant, who projected an image onto the large screen behind the stage. A collective gasp rippled through the room. It was a photograph of a stunning, ultra-modern luxury condominium in the heart of the city’s financial district. Floor-to-ceiling windows, marble floors, a view of the skyline. It was worth millions.
“A condominium in the Sky-High Towers,” Eleanor announced.
Applause broke out. It was loud, thunderous. Anna stared at the screen. She knew about the gift—Leo had mentioned his mother wanted to help them with housing—but she hadn’t realized it was this. It was too much. It felt like a golden cage.
Eleanor raised a manicured hand, demanding silence. The room obeyed instantly.
“However,” she continued, her voice dropping an octave, growing colder, sharper, like a blade sliding out of a sheath. “I want to make one very important point perfectly clear to everyone here, and to the legal counsel present.”
She turned her body so she was facing Anna directly. The mask of politeness fell away.
