When the Billionaire Begs novel · Chapter 19 of 24

Chapter 19: Carlton's Mother

Veronica did not answer her son.

She stood on the dais with her straight back and her pearls.

She looked down at him with something very close to pity.

"Carlton," she said. "Sit down. We will discuss it at home."

"Say you didn't do it."

"I did what a wife does."

"You put a woman who couldn't speak into a bed and billed her daughter for it."

"I protected this family."

"From what?" His voice rose, and the whole hall heard it. "From a woman in a hospital bed? From a girl who painted chairs?"

"From the truth about your father."

"I never asked for that truth!"

"No," Veronica said, with a brittle smile. "You asked for a pretty girl who would say sorry. I gave you one."

A sound ran through the guests, low and ugly.

Somebody near the back said, "My God."

A woman in sapphires pushed her chair away from Veronica's table and stood.

Then the man beside her stood.

The board chairman of the Biennial came up the dais steps, pale and quick, and took the microphone off the lectern.

"Mrs. Keswick," he said, in a voice that carried. "On behalf of the board, I think you had better leave."

"I founded the endowment."

"You founded it with your husband's money, and I think tonight has said what you did with the rest." He did not look at her. "Your seat on the board is suspended pending a vote. Please."

Veronica turned slowly and surveyed the room.

Not one person met her eyes.

← Chapter 18 · All chapters · Chapter 20 →

Want to keep talking to characters like these? Chat with AI romance characters: AI Boyfriend · AI Girlfriend · Dark Romance · Fantasy Romance · BL (Boys’ Love) · Billionaire Boyfriend · Mafia Boyfriend · Possessive Boyfriend · Hockey Boyfriend · Older Boyfriend · K-Drama Boyfriend · Anime Boyfriend · Vampire Boyfriend · Werewolf Boyfriend · Demon Boyfriend · Fae Romance · GL (Girls’ Love) · Anime Girlfriend · Goth & Alt Girlfriend · Gamer Girlfriend · Tsundere Girlfriend · Fantasy Girlfriend