Chapter 3 The Weight of Their Judgment

Monica's POV "Who are you talking to, Monica?" I quickly locked my phone and looked up at Myra "Nobody" She raised an eyebrow. "Nobody?" "It's just a message" Myra walked further into my room, her eyes briefly settling on my phone before returning to my face "You're acting strangely." I frowned "I'm not" "Okay" She shrugged. "Mom asked me to remind you that the dress for the anniversary celebration has arrived she wants you to try it on." "Alright I'll come downstairs shortly" She nodded and turned towards the door "Myra?" She stopped "Have you received any strange messages lately?" Her expression changed slightly "What kind of messages?" "Nothing serious just an unknown number." She gave a small laugh. "You should stop answering strangers not everyone has good intentions." "I didn't answer anyone" "Good" She walked out before I could ask anything else I stared at the doorway for a moment. There was something about her reaction that bothered me perhaps I was becoming too suspicious of everyone, but after everything that had happened, I couldn't help it I picked up my phone and looked at the messages again. Don't trust the person who smiles at you the most I wondered who the sender could be the next morning, I woke up earlier than usual. The anniversary celebration was only two days away, and the entire mansion seemed to be preparing for it. My mother had arranged for a stylist to come over, while my father spent most of his time on business calls I wasn't particularly excited about attending. However, I had already promised myself that I wouldn't allow my family to make me feel invisible after getting dressed, I went downstairs. My mother was seated in the living room with a woman I recognised as the family stylist "There she is" Mom said when she noticed me The woman stood up with a polite smile "Good morning, Miss Hayes" "Good morning" "Your mother asked me to bring a few options for the celebration" She opened a garment bag and brought out a beautiful black evening dress I ran my fingers over the fabric "It's lovely" "I thought you would like it," my mother replied "Try it on." I took the dress upstairs when I returned, the stylist smiled approvingly "It fits you beautifully." I looked at myself in the mirror the dress hugged my petite frame perfectly, and its simple design made it elegant without being too revealing. My long black hair fell over my shoulders, bringing out the green in my eyes for a moment, I felt beautiful "Well, at least you won't embarrass us with your appearance," my mother commented The smile disappeared from my face I turned towards her "Thank you, mom." She barely acknowledged my response "Make sure you keep your hair neat the photographers will be everywhere." "I will" She returned to discussing the remaining arrangements with the stylist I went upstairs and changed out of the dress. Sometimes, I wondered whether my mother realised how much her words hurt me that afternoon, I decided to visit a small café near the shopping district. I needed a break from the mansion, and I wanted to see Kianna before the celebration she was already waiting when I arrived. "Finally!" she exclaimed when she saw me. I laughed and hugged her "Traffic was terrible." "That's your excuse every time." We ordered coffee and spent some time talking about ordinary things. For a little while, I forgot about my family and the strange messages. Then Kianna noticed my expression "What's wrong?" I hesitated "Someone sent me another strange message" She placed her cup down "What message?" I showed her the screenshots her expression became serious as she read them "Monica, who sent this?" "I don't know the number is unknown." "And you haven't replied?" "No" "Good don't. Whoever this is clearly knows something about your family." I nodded "That's what scares me." Kianna returned my phone "Have you told your parents?" I laughed without humour. "You know my parents If I tell them, they'll probably accuse me of trying to create another problem." "Then don't tell them but be careful." "I will" She reached across the table and held my hand "And remember, you don't have to face everything alone." I smiled "Thank you, Kianna." We continued talking, but the messages remained at the back of my mind by the time I returned home, the mansion was unusually busy. Several employees were carrying boxes into the main hall, and my father was standing near the staircase with James "Where have you been?" he asked as soon as he saw me. I stopped "I went out." "Without informing anyone?" I frowned "I didn't know I needed permission to leave the house." His expression hardened "Watch your tone, Monica." I lowered my eyes "I'm sorry." James chuckled "She's becoming quite bold lately." I ignored him my father adjusted his cufflinks. "The anniversary celebration is important. I don't want any unnecessary incidents. Do you understand?" "Yes, dad." "Good I expect you to remember that." He walked away, leaving James behind my brother stepped closer "You should be careful tomorrow" I looked at him "What do you mean?" He gave me a mocking smile "People have long memories, Monica don't expect everyone to welcome you with open arms." I stared at him "I haven't done anything wrong." "Keep telling yourself that" He walked away I stood there for a moment before heading upstairs I was beginning to understand that attending the celebration wouldn't be as simple as I had hoped. The following evening, I was in my bedroom getting ready when my mother knocked "Are you ready?" "Almost" She entered and looked at me from head to toe I had put on the black dress, simple earrings and a pair of silver heels. My hair was styled in soft waves, and I had kept my makeup light. My mother nodded "That's acceptable" I forced a smile "Thank you" "Your father is already downstairs. We need to leave in twenty minutes." "Okay" She turned towards the door but stopped "Monica?" "Yes?" "Whatever happens tonight, don't argue with your father in front of people. We have worked too hard to build this family's reputation." I stared at her "Why would I argue with him" She sighed "Just remember what I said." Then she left I looked at myself in the mirror. I had done nothing wrong, yet everyone seemed determined to remind me that I was a potential embarrassment. Taking a deep breath, I picked up my purse and headed downstairs the celebration was being held at a luxurious hotel in downtown Los Angeles. The ballroom was decorated with crystal chandeliers, expensive floral arrangements and enormous screens displaying the Hayes Group logo. Business executives, investors and influential guests filled the room the moment we entered, cameras began flashing. My father immediately put on his charming public smile. "Mr Hayes congratulations!" "Thank you It's good to see you." My mother stood beside him, looking every bit the elegant businessman's wife. James and Liam were greeting several guests, while Myra stayed close to our mother I followed quietly. For once, I wanted to enjoy an evening without feeling like an outsider but that hope disappeared when I overheard two women whispering near the entrance. "Isn't that the daughter involved in the leaked documents?" "I heard she was responsible for the whole thing." "I wonder why the family still allows her to attend their events." My steps slowed I pretended not to hear them and continued walking. A waiter passed with a tray of drinks. I picked up a glass of water "Monica?" I turned at the familiar voice Henry Williams stood a few feet away. He looked different from the last time I had seen him taller somehow, dressed in a perfectly fitted black suit, with an expression that was difficult to read "Henry?" He smiled faintly "It's been a while." I nodded "It has" He glanced towards my family before looking back at me "How have you been?" I almost laughed that was a difficult question "I'm fine" He studied my face as though he knew I wasn't telling the truth. "Are you sure?" Before I could answer, my father appeared beside us. "Henry! I didn't know you had arrived." Henry turned towards him "Good evening, Mr Hayes." They exchanged greetings, and my father immediately began discussing business I quietly stepped away. For the first time that evening, I was grateful for the distraction but as I moved towards the refreshments table, I noticed something strange Myra was standing near the corridor, speaking to a man I didn't recognise. She looked nervous when she noticed me watching, she quickly ended the conversation. The man walked away Myra approached me with a smile "Monica, there you are mom has been looking for you." I looked towards the corridor "Who were you talking to?" Her smile faltered "Nobody important." Before I could ask another question, the sound of microphones being adjusted came from the stage. My father was preparing to address the guests everyone began gathering around the main stage I moved closer, hoping the speech would be over quickly. My father stepped forward and welcomed the guests, speaking proudly about the company's achievements and the family's dedication then a journalist raised her hand. "Mr Hayes, before you continue, could you address the allegations surrounding the confidential documents leaked several months ago?" The room became noticeably quieter my father's smile disappeared for a brief moment another journalist stood up "Has Hayes Group identified the person responsible for the leak?" I felt my stomach tighten my father adjusted his microphone. "We are currently handling the matter internally, and I assure everyone that the company remains committed to protecting its interests." I tried to move further away from the stage then another journalist spoke. "Mr Hayes, we've received information suggesting that the person responsible may be someone within your own family." A murmur spread through the ballroom I felt several pairs of eyes turning towards me my fingers tightened around my glass. Then my father's gaze found mine and the expression on his face made my heart sink. Something was wrong before I could understand what was happening, his assistant rushed towards him and whispered something into his ear. My father went completely still he looked at me again. Then he reached for the microphone "Before this celebration continues, there is something everyone needs to know about my daughter, Monica Hayes."