“Totally,” Kat agreed, tipping her head for a better view. “Don’t you think, babe?” she asked Zander.
“What’s that?” Zander had been talking to Duke, but at Kat’s question, the two set their attention on her.
“It looks like Sylvia is wasted,” Betzy blurted this time.
Viv felt her face flush with heat as the entire group shot less-than-discreet glances toward the table. A familiar trill echoed over the space. The same cackle that Sylvia had belted out after joking about locking Duke’s date in a dungeon.
Duke shook his head. “Great,” he mumbled. “She’s got, like, ten minutes to sober up and announce. How do you think that’s going to go down?”
He turned the question on the group. “Should I tell someone to find a replacement?”
James pulled a cringe face. “Maybe.”
“I would,” Zander agreed, but the women weren’t so sure.
While Camila bit at her lip and Kat kept her eyes trained on the spectacle, Betzy shook her head absently, her brow furrowed in thought. “If you find a replacement for her, you better get someone to escort her off the property first. She isn’t wearing that dress for nothing. That woman wants to be noticed. I doubt she’ll give up her spot in the limelight without a fight.”
The worry Viv read in Betzy’s face echoed her concern. Sharp knots began bouncing inside Viv’s tummy. She turned a concerned look on Duke.
“What do you think?”
Duke shot to his feet. “I’ll see what I can do.”
“I’ll help.” Betzy shot to her feet, and soon the two were off, darting into the crowd along the outskirts of the tables. Viv glanced to the podium next, another round of knots bumping within her, causing physical chaos to go with the upset in her head. Something wasn’t right. She didn’t know how she’d do it, but Viv was certain Sylvia planned to target her once again.
“Good evening, everyone,” came a voice overhead. It was the gentleman who’d been hosting the event through live broadcasts throughout the night.
“We hope you’ve enjoyed the dinner, the drinks, and the fine company of fellow Stanford alumni here tonight.”
The crowd cheered as several guests lifted a glass in affirmation.
“Please be advised that in less than five minutes, we’ll be going live for our final segment of the evening: the scholarship award honoring one of Stanford’s very own alumni, announced by two special guests, a couple crowned queen and king at Stanford’s prom exactly ten years ago. As our camera crew prepares with the countdown, I’ll ask Mr. Duke Benton and Ms. Sylvia Sampson to join me up here in preparation. Thank you.”
Light music poured over the space as the man stepped away from the mic.
“Great,” Kat said. “It might be too late to stop her.”
James nodded. “True, but what harm can she do? Besides make a fool of herself.”
Camila cupped a hand around James’ shoulder. “It seems like she has it out for Viv and Duke,” she explained.
Suddenly, Duke was at Viv’s side. He lowered himself onto one knee and traced a hand along her wrist as he spoke. “They said it’s too risky to try and stop her now. We’re going to just go up there, and hope she says all of her lines, and leave it there.”
“Wait.” Viv reached for Duke’s arm as he came to a stand. “What if you just let her do it by herself?”
His eyes went wide. “That could be even worse.”
Viv gave that some thought. “Maybe…”
“Look, Vivi,” Duke said, leveling a look at her. “I’ll do whatever you want me to. You want me to tell them I’m not doing it, I will. You want me to go make the most of it, I’ll do that too.”
His eagerness to do what Viv wished should have made her feel better, but she only felt more flustered than before. Now it was onherto decide.
Inwardly, Viv knew how very much Sylvia resented her for dating Duke. Resented anyone who dared venture beyond their own social circle and into such high society where they didn’t belong.
A quick look to the podium said Sylvia was already there. The gentleman hosting was scanning the floor with a worried brow.
“You better go,” Viv finally said.
