I never told my husband that I secretly bought the company he works for. To him, I was just his “embarrassing, uneducated” wife. At the annual gala, he first introduced me to the CEO as his “nanny” to save face. But an hour later, his sister deliberately poured red wine on my white dress and pointed to the floor, snapping, “Since you’re the help, clean that up.”

A shrill voice broke her thoughts. “Well look who is alone again,” Brianna Reed said as she approached with a glass of red wine. She wore a glittering scarlet dress that screamed for attention.

Brianna had never hidden her dislike. She had called Vanessa dull, unsocial, and beneath the family standard. Her debts had often been quietly paid with funds Trevor never knew came from his wife.

“Hello Brianna,” Vanessa said.

Brianna looked her up and down. “White satin. How brave. Trying to look innocent. It looks like a tablecloth.”

“It is satin,” Vanessa answered.

Brianna rolled her eyes. “Trevor told me what he said to Mr. Callahan. Calling you the nanny. Genius. It suits you.”

Vanessa smiled faintly. “Does it?”

Trevor returned, flushed with pride. “Callahan is impressed,” he announced. “This night is perfect.”

“Perfect indeed,” Brianna said, raising her glass. “A toast to success.”

She stepped closer. Her wrist tilted with deliberate precision. Vanessa saw the intention clearly. The red wine poured across her chest and stomach, spreading into the pale fabric. Gasps fluttered around them.