The Harper mansion buzzed with tension. Preparations were underway for what Desmond described as a "private evening reception," but everyone within the estate knew something bigger was coming. Invitations had been sent to close family friends, associates, and even a few board members of the Harper Foundation. No one quite knew the reason, but rumors buzzed — that Desmond had a grand announcement, or that the family was preparing for a significant change.
Cinderella stood before her mirror, wearing a sleek emerald dress that complemented her calm confidence. She clipped on her earrings, her mind running through every detail of the plan she and Desmond had finalized.
Tonight would not be just a dinner.
It would be a reckoning.
Downstairs, Penelope stood beside Stephen in the hallway.
"She's really going through with this," Penelope hissed, her voice tight with panic.
Stephen adjusted his cufflinks. "So what? We've survived worse."
Penelope frowned. "Not like this. Dad hasn't spoken to Mom in three days. He barely even looks at her."
Stephen scoffed. "Let's see what Cinderella really has. I bet it's nothing."
But despite his bravado, Stephen's hands shook ever so slightly.
---
The reception hall was stunning — chandeliers casting golden light across the polished floor, the scent of jasmine floating in the air. Guests gathered, champagne flutes in hand, murmuring curiously. Desmond Harper stood at the head of the room, commanding attention even in silence.
Beside him stood Cinderella — poised, radiant, and utterly unshaken.
Rebecca entered late, dressed in icy blue, wearing her best pearls like armor. Her smile was tight, and though she walked with her usual grace, the confident sway in her hips had faded.
She spotted the empty seat beside Desmond — hers — and paused, surprised.
It had been filled by Cinderella.
With a composed smile, Rebecca took a place at the far end of the table, her children sitting stiffly near her.
After everyone had settled, Desmond cleared his throat.
"Thank you all for coming tonight. This evening is not about celebration. It is about truth — and closure. For too long, this family has lived under shadows of deception. Tonight, that ends."
A hush fell over the room.
Cinderella stepped forward, her voice calm but steady. "There's something you all deserve to know. Something that has remained hidden far too long."
She nodded to the staff, and the large screen at the end of the room came to life.
The first clip was a series of private emails — Rebecca's correspondence with the former housekeeper, instructing her to 'keep Caroline away from the study' on the day of the accident.
Gasps rippled through the guests.
The second clip showed a hidden audio recording — Rebecca's voice, laughing coldly to Penelope:
"Sometimes a little push is all it takes. Literally. Caroline was in the way. Now she's gone. And Desmond thinks it's all fate."
Rebecca shot to her feet, face pale. "This is a setup! That audio was fabricated!"
Desmond's expression was unreadable. "Then perhaps you can explain the voice match verification we had conducted."
He turned to Cinderella and gave a subtle nod. She played one final clip — Caroline's voice from an old voicemail:
"Desmond, I don't trust Rebecca. She's not who she says she is. I fear for my life. If anything happens to me… please protect Ella."
A collective silence filled the room.
She then showed everyone what has happened between the mechanic and Rebecca, how she had done everything thinking no one will find out.
Rebecca's facade shattered.
"Desmond, you're seriously going to stand there and believe her over me?" she spat, pointing at Cinderella.
"I believed you over my wife," Desmond said, voice cold and final. "And now I know it cost Caroline her life. I won't make the same mistake again."
Rebecca's chest rose and fell rapidly. "This is your daughter's doing. She manipulated everything—"
"She exposed the truth," Desmond cut in. "And now, you're going to face the consequences."
Rebecca's eyes darted toward the guests, searching for support. But no one moved. No one spoke. Her allies were gone.
She turned to Stephen and Penelope. "Say something! Don't just sit there!"
Penelope began to cry silently. Stephen stared down at his plate.
Desmond turned to the staff. "Rebecca is no longer welcome in this home. She will be packing her belongings and leaving tonight."
Rebecca's jaw dropped. "You can't be serious."
"I am. And I've already spoken to my lawyer. The divorce is underway."
"No!" she shrieked. "You're ruining everything!"
"I didn't ruin anything," he replied. "You did."
The next few hours were chaos.
Rebecca's shrieking echoed through the hallways as the staff escorted her out. Guests quickly took their leave, shocked and awed by the evening's revelations. Penelope locked herself in her room. Stephen sat by the fireplace, motionless, broken by the collapse of everything he thought untouchable.
Cinderella sat in the garden, watching the stars.
Silvester joined her quietly.
"You did it," he whispered.
She looked at him. "It's not over."
"But you exposed her. That's the hardest part."
Cinderella nodded. "She'll face the law now. Caroline deserves justice."
Silvester took her hand, their fingers locking naturally. "And you deserve peace."
---
Upstairs, Desmond packed away Caroline's favorite scarf into a memory box. His hands lingered on the soft fabric.
"I hope you see this," he whispered. "I hope you know justice is coming."
Rebecca stood outside the gates, bags at her feet, calling every contact she had. No one answered. No one came.
The empire she built on lies was crumbling.
And Cinderella… was rising from the ashes.