The Thorne Heiress Unveiling Shadow novel Chapter 87

Just as the Thornes started to plan their fight back, Claudia Lancaster made her own move. She wasn't a person who liked to hide. She preferred to strike in the open, using the customs of high society as her weapon.

Invitations began to arrive at the homes of New York's most powerful families. They were delivered by couriers in crisp, old-fashioned uniforms. The invitations themselves were works of art: thick, cream-colored cards with hand-gilded edges and the Lancaster family crest embossed in gold. They announced the yearly Lancaster Legacy Ball, an event so exclusive it was spoken of in whispers.

Getting an invitation meant you were part of the real global elite.

One of these invitations arrived at Thorne Crest. Another was delivered to Kaelen's office.

They weren't friendly gestures. They were insults, wrapped in expensive paper.

In the Thorne command center, Chase was the first to open theirs. He slit the envelope with a letter opener, his expression curious. He read the invitation, then pulled out a smaller, heavier card enclosed within.

His face went from curious to confused, and then to a dark, dangerous red.

"You have got to be kidding me," he snapped, the words tight with anger. He threw the card down on the table.

Arthur picked it up. It was an engraved seating card. It designated their place at the party: Table 42.

Lillian, who knew the social map of New York like the back of her hand, gasped. "Table forty-two? That's… that's practically in the kitchen. It's where they put people they're forced to invite."

"This is a public insult," Arthur said, his voice a low growl. "She's trying to show the world that she thinks we're beneath her. That the Thornes are new money who don't belong."

Kaelen's reaction, over the video call from his office, was just as cold. He held up his own identical seating card.

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