Wait until everyone sees our new Malibu estate, she kept posting, even as the police escorted her off my property.
She had no idea she’d just announced her own public execution.
David pulled up the California Real Estate Association gala details on his laptop.
October 20th.
Eight days away.
The Ritz-Carlton, Los Angeles.
Black-tie.
800 guests.
Live streamed on their website.
Eleanor Drexler, gold sponsor at $50,000.
“The gala where reputations are made or destroyed,” I murmured, remembering Eleanor’s own words from last year.
The attendee list read like a who’s who of California elite: tech CEOs, real estate moguls, political figures, and most importantly, Victoria Sterling, CEO of Meridian Global, listed as the keynote speaker.
“This is perfect,” David said. “Eleanor just announced to everyone that she’ll be revealing the truth at this gala. She’s created her own stage for humiliation.”
I called Victoria.
“Did you see Eleanor’s social media meltdown?”
“Everyone has. Josephine, I was already planning to announce your consulting contract during my keynote. Would you like me to be more specific about certain details?”
“Actually, I have a better idea. Can you ensure I’m seated at the head table?”
“Consider it done. And Josephine, I’ll have three board members there who can verify your contract details if needed.”
The gala’s theme, ironically, was “Integrity in Real Estate: Building Trust in Modern Markets.”
Eleanor would be recognized for her gold sponsorship during the ceremony, given three minutes to speak about her contribution to the real estate community.
I pulled up the event contract.
Gold sponsors were bound by a morality clause. Any criminal activity or fraud could result in immediate revocation of sponsorship and a lifetime ban from association events.
