Magnolia walks away from the podium and onto the floor. Adeide walks over and hugs her.

  "I'm so proud of you. You really stuck it to him. His ego must really hurt right now." Adeide says eted as they separate.

  "He needed a taste of his own medicine." Magnolia agrees.

  Titus and Francine then approach them.

  "You had no right to humiliate me!"

  A smirk graces Magnolia's face.

  "I had no right? You've been doing it to me for seven years with this knee-scraping whore."

  "Excuse me, I'm standing right here." Francine chimes in offended.

  "So, you were the founder of the companies?" Titus asks as his hands turn to fists.

  "Yes. I wanted to make you think you did it all on your own. After all the hell you've put me through it was a nice big bow to unwrap from around your ego." Magnolia says now with her hands on her hips.

  "This means war." Titus rebuts venomously.

  "My battle cannon is ready to fire," Magnolia says before walking off.

  Titus then gres at Adeide.

  "You did this." Titus accuses pointing at the attorney.

  "I didn't do anything; Chimney Smoker is the one who gave you away."

  "What is that supposed to mean?"

  "It means that a mistress is only good for being in the dark on her knees."

  "Didn't I tell you that you and that bitch to watch your step? You should take heed"

  "I dare you to try us," Adeide says before averting her eyes in Titus' direction.

  "Everything would have been fine had you not told Magnolia."

  "Don't bme your phindering on me. This wouldn't have happened had you kept it in your pants. It's amusing to see your scrotum in Magnolia's right hand."

  "You and that bitch will pay for what you did,

  "Your pen has no ink to write a check. You two enjoy the rest of your evening." Adeide says before walking away.

  Francine steps in front of Titus cupping his face.

  "I handled it." Francine coos getting Titus' attention before kissing him.

  "What did you do?"

  "You'll find out soon. But I will say it's something huge and unexpected."

  She then ces her hands with his and leads him to the dance floor.

  Magnolia and Adeide are sitting at a table having a gss of champagne.

  "Georgia wants me to make her a dress for her birthday party in August,".

  "She does? I thought that she wanted one of those ritzy designers to do it?"

  "I did too. I was completely floored when she asked me. I've been working on it for several weeks."

  "Blessings come in the most unexpected ways," Magnolia says setting her gss on the table.

  "Isn't that the truth? In other news your husband said you and I will pay for what we did." Adeide agrees watching Titus and Francine dance.

  "We're going to pay for what we did? If anything, he should be the paying for what he did to me."

  "If he knows what I know he'd mind his head," Adeide says sipping her champagne.

  "Touché but what he doesn't know that I know should scare him," Magnolia says piquing Adeide's interest.

  "What do you know?"

  "It's too inappropriate to discuss here. However, I will tell you in due time in a more private setting." Magnolia says picking up her gss.

  "It's nothing like sipping champagne while the mind concocts treachery and revenge," Adeide says sipping her champagne.

  At nine o'clock the party ends and everyone is standing in the driveway.

  "I'm going to remember this night for the rest of my life. Thank you for entertaining me Maggie" Adeide says happily hugging the heiress.

  "You're welcome and I'll see you soon," Magnolia says kissing her cheek.

  Upon separating, they walk in opposite directions.

  Ivy watches Huey in the distance. He is standing with his parents. She is snatched from her thoughts when Johnny touches her left shoulder.

  "Did you have fun?" Johnny asks enthusiastically.

  "Not really, Huey was absolutely rude to me."

  A frown captures Johnny's features.

  "What did he say to you?"

  "He said I was spewing nonsense about not Caucasian people being bad."

  Johnny looks over in Cohen's direction and sees a teenage boy.

  "Is that him?"

  "Yes."

  Johnny's eyebrows rise in disbelief.

  "He's gorgeous," Johnny whispers making Ivy grin.

  "After tonight I've decided not to pursue his acquaintance," Ivy says softly looking in his direction.

  "I can definitely understand why. Let's get going, we don't want Mother to worry."

  The duo heads to Magnolia's car.

  Titus and company are in his car riding home.

  "I couldn't believe Mother this evening" Emma ments with her arms folded.

  "You know she's all about etiquette and css," Bobby says softly and Emma gres icily at him.

  "She still shouldn't have spoken to me the way she did," Emma says offended.

  "No, she shouldn't have. Well, it's a good thing those products are going to live with her." Bobby says relieved.

  "It's not coming soon enough."

  "Have you heard from Hampton?" Bobby asks and Emma sniffles.

  "No, I haven't, and quite frankly I miss him."

  Bobby observes with confusion.

  "Why, he hurt you," Bobby says neutrally.

  "I know and I want him to pay but he's also a good boyfriend," Emma says looking over at her brother.

  "Whatever you say, Emma."

  The remainder of the ride is riddled with silence. When they get home Bobby and Emma head upstairs to the porch.

  "It's so good to be home."

  Titus gets out of the car and goes to open the door for her. Francine smiles taking his hand and stepping out of the car. After shutting the door they walk onto the porch. Titus unlocks the door and heads inside.

  "Goodnight you two," Titus says looking at his children smiling.

  "Goodnight." the two teens say in unison.

  Everyone heads upstairs to retire.

  Ten minutes ter Magnolia pulls in front of Titus' mansion. Magnolia looks back at her children sternly.

  "Don't let any of them disrespect you,"

  "I won't let that happen," Ivy says before hugging Magnolia.

  After separating Johnny hugs her.

  "I love you, Mother," Johnny says tearfully.

  "I love you too baby," Magnolia says kissing his cheek.

  Once they separate, they exit the car. They then walk over to the passenger window.

  "I love you, Mother," Ivy says sweetly.

  "I love you too sweetheart."

  Ivy smiles.

  After Magnolia drives off footsteps are then heard. Ivy stands in front of Johnny.

  When Hampton appears, Ivy stands down. He's wearing a brown and gray pid shirt with bck scks and bck shoes.

  Johnny walks upstairs and sits on the porch in one of the chairs.

  Hampton hugs Ivy which she returns.

  "It's good to see you again Ivy,"

  "Same here, would you like to come in?"

  "I don't think that would be wise,"

  "What's going on?"

  "I did something horrible to Emma,"

  Ivy's face contorted in horror.

  "What exactly did you do?"

  "We were making out and my hands went under her skirt. She told me to stop and I didn't. She shoved me off and told me to take her home. I came here to apologize." Hampton says looking away from the girl.

  Emma is in her bedroom peering out her window. She makes a beeline for Titus' bedroom. After knocking the door opens revealing Titus in bck cotton pajamas.

  "Hampton is outside speaking to that mosquito Ivy."

  Titus goes downstairs and out into the driveway.

  "That was very disrespectful. If a girl says stop, then that's exactly what she means. She's probably scared of you now."

  "That's why I'm here. I was hoping you could convince her to talk to me." Hampton says.

  Ivy sighs.

  "I'm sorry Hampton. You have to fix this yourself. You have a good night."

  Ivy says sweetly before going towards the house. As Ivy ascends the stairs the front door opens and Titus runs downstairs. He grabs Hampton by his colr and punches him to the ground.

  "Stop it!" Ivy yells running back downstairs.

  "You hurt my daughter!" Titus yells with every strike.

  Hampton is lying there dazed as tears stream down his face.

  Ivy tries to grab Titus but is backhanded to the ground and Johnny rushes downstairs to her side.

  "Are you okay?" Johnny asks concerned assessing her body.

  "I'm fine,"

  "If you ever come around here again, I will kill you. Now get the hell out of here!"

  Hampton struggles to his feet before trotting away.

  As Titus walks back to the house he gres at Ivy.

  "Bitch if you ever interfere with what I'm doing again, you will be on the receiving end of my fury." Titus barks before gring at Johnny.

  Ivy stands to her feet and looks back at him sharply.

  "Hampton didn't deserve that," Ivy says disgustedly clenching her fists.

  "Cry me a river," Titus says before ascending the stairs.

  Johnny helps Ivy inside. Once they're in the foyer Johnny locks the door.

  "Are you sure you're okay?" Johnny asks curiously with his arm around her shoulder.

  Ivy fshes him a grin.

  "I'm positive, you can go on up."

  "Okay, goodnight," Johnny says sweetly hugging her.

  "Goodnight baby brother," Ivy says returning the hug.

  After watching him disappear up the east staircase Ivy exhales heavily.

  Moments ter Emma comes down the west staircase.

  "So, you're trying to steal my man bitch?!" Emma asks gripping the rail.

  "I'm not in the mood for you," Ivy says annoyed looking at her sister.

  "Well, I am and you will deal with it,"

  "I didn't steal Hampton from you. As I recall he was my boyfriend two years ago. Not only did you kiss him you took his virginity. He told me what happened and broke up with me out of guilt. I was depressed for a year because I thought I made him stray. As it turned out he was maniputed. You are just like Colonel."

  Emma walks over to her with her right fist clenched and punches her in her face.

  Ivy retaliates by tackling her to the floor and in the process shatters two gss vases. Ivy begins pummeling her face while Emma fails to guard it.

  Titus rushes downstairs and yanks Ivy off Emma. He slings her to the floor while helping Emma sit upright.

  "What the hell is wrong with you?! You hurt my star daughter!" Titus yells before looking at Emma's bloodied face.

  Ivy fumes as tears roll down her cheeks before running up the east staircase.

  "Are you okay Princess?" Titus asks still assessing her face.

  "No. That vile creature put her paws on me!" Emma sobs as Titus helps her to her feet.

  He leads her to the dining room and sits her down at the head of the table.

  "Don't you worry I'm going to take care of her. Right now, I'm going to clean you up. You stay right here." Titus says before going to the medicine closet.

  When he returns, he sets a first aid kit on the table. After opening he grabs some gauze and a small bottle of rubbing alcohol. After coating it he applies it to a knot near her left eye.

  "I don't know how that thing got to be the way she is. Each of you is so different. But after a few days, you'll be good as new." Titus reassures removing the gauze.

  "No, I won't! I have bruises on my million-dolr face! No man is going to give me the crack of dawn!" Emma whines making Titus chuckle.

  "You are the daughter of Titus Lexington. You can have any man you want. You don't have to work for anything. You see how I came to be with your mother. The females of this family besides you aren't worth the effort. You are the queen of the ball and don't you ever forget it." Titus says making Emma sniffle and smile.

  "Thanks, Daddy," Emma says hugging Titus.

  After separating Titus resumes cleaning her wounds. Afterward, he closes the first aid kit. He pushes into his chair and goes to the medicine closet. He then goes to the dining room.

  "I'm going to straighten her out. Goodnight princess." Titus says kissing Emma's forehead.

  "Goodnight," Emma says getting up and pushing in her chair.

  Titus looks up at the top of the east staircase in anger before running upstairs.

  Ivy is standing on her balcony leaning over the banister as tears continue streaming down her face.

  "His star daughter, more like the offspring of Satan." Ivy retorts.

  Her dialogue is interrupted by the opening of her door. Ivy walks back inside swiftly closing her balcony doors.

  "You have some nerve putting your filthy hands on my only daughter!" Titus barks coldly.

  "Your only daughter?! You speak as if she's the only daughter you have! You have two other daughters don't forget that!"

  "Don't you dare breathe her name!" Titus hisses walking toward her.

  "She's my sister and I will never forget her!" Ivy says looking Titus in the eyes

  "Why did you attack Emma?"

  "She attacked me first so I defended myself,"

  "You had no right to hit her. She's your elder sister no matter what. You treat her with the utmost respect!"

  "This tyrannical rule you're trying to enforce is outdated. You may be able to control Bobby and Emma but I won't allow you to rule Johnny and I."

  "As long as I have air in my body, I am your father. I brought you into this world and I will take you out of it." Titus says now inches away from Ivy.

  "You're just a sperm donor. It takes a special individual to be a father. Any man can impregnate a woman. As for Emma if she disrespects me again so God help her."

  Titus and Ivy then stare each other down.

  "You're skating on thin ice tramp," Titus says before leaving.

  When he's gone Ivy shuts the door and walks into her bathroom.

  Monday morning at eight-thirty Billy opens his eyes and sees Bnche is still gone. He gets up makes his side and goes into the bathroom. An hour ter he comes out wearing a white towel around his waist. He goes to the dresser and pulls out some bck underwear and bck socks. He removes the towel and pulls on the garments. He then meanders into the bathroom and hangs the towel on a rack. Upon returning to his bedroom, he goes to his closet and pulls out a dark navy blue suit and bck dress shoes. After getting dressed he grabs his briefcase near the door and heads downstairs. Upon entering the dining room, he sees the table is void of food.

  "Never make a woman mad. Damn Billy you have some making up to do." Billy says to himself before going into the kitchen.

  He sets his briefcase on the isnd counter when the telephone rings. After the second ring, Billy answers.

  "This is the Cohen residence, Billy speaking,"

  "Good morning Mr. Cohen. This is the agent from the commercial company you spoke with recently." the agent says making Billy grin.

  "Good morning, how are you?"

  "I'm good, I was calling to see if you could meet me today at noon."

  "Certainly."

  "Perfect I'll see you then."

  "See you soon, goodbye."

  When he turns around, he is startled by Bnche. She is wearing a bck silk nightgown with red rose petals and a matching robe and slippers. Her hair is curled and covered by a bck and red bandanna. Billy remains unsure of what course of action to take.

  "Good morning."

  "Good morning darling," Bnche says walking deeper into the kitchen.

  "I'm sorry for calling you an idiot st night. Sometimes my mouth moves faster than my brain can process." Billy apologizes making Bnche chuckle.

  "I know and I'm also to bme for being so sensitive. After sleeping on it I realized you're right. I can't allow my passion to cloud reality. I'll withdraw Huey's application and enroll him elsewhere." Bnche says when the telephone rings.

  Billy picks up looking at Bnche smiling.

  "This is the Cohen residence, Billy speaking," Billy says pcing his free hand in his pocket.

  "This is Charlotte Presgow from Angelcrest Elite Academy, is Mrs. Cohen avaible?"

  "Yes, she is, one moment," Billy says removing the phone from his ear.

  "It's Charlotte Presgow from Angelcrest Elite Academy"

  Bnche runs over to the phone.

  "This is Mrs. Cohen,"

  "I reviewed Huey's application and I want to bring him in for an interview today. Can he come in at noon?"

  Tears form in Bnche's eyes.

  "Yes ma'am,"

  "Good, have him come dressed in business attire."

  "Most certainly, we'll see you then. Thank you, Ms. Presgow."

  "You're welcome," Charlotte says before hanging up.

  Bnche hangs up the phone and looks at Billy wiping her eyes.

  "She wants to interview Huey today at noon," Bnche says csping her hands together.

  "That's wonderful although I don't think Titus Lexington will like it."

  "If he tries anything I will silence him," Bnche says before pecking him on his lips.

  "Just tread carefully sweetheart," Billy says worriedly.

  "I will."

  "So is the war over between us?"

  Bnche interces her hand with his.

  "Yes, it is. However, if you disrespect me again, well we'll just leave it at that." Bnche whispers before pecking him once more.

  Billy freezes in pce as Bnche leaves the kitchen. He goes to the refrigerator to get some breakfast.

  Bnche goes upstairs to Huey's bedroom and knocks on the door.

  Huey is in a white t-shirt and light brown cotton pajama pants. He is sitting before his canvas painting an oil portrait.

  "Huey sweetheart, you have an interview with Angelcrest Elite Academy today at noon,"

  "Alright, I'll be ready in time,"

  Bnche returns to the kitchen where Billy is spreading jelly over some toast.

  "What do you pn on doing while we're here?" Billy asks taking a bite of his toast.

  "I want to expand my hospital system. The three hospitals are going to be Billy's Haven, Disciple Huey, and Apostle Byron."

  "Those are beautiful names dear. How do you pn on getting donors?"

  Bnche smiles at him.

  "I'm going to network with different people. I'm worth seventy million dolrs alone but donations are what help hospitals thrive. I self-financed my current eight hospitals in Vosk, Tennessee, and Jensen Forest, New Hampshire. It's what I prefer but I want to take a different route."

  "Your social skills are wonderful so I'm sure you'll secure donors," Billy says before finishing off his toast.

  He then sips some orange juice.

  "Thank you for being so supportive baby."

  "It's my job," Billy says before going to the dining room.

  Billy removes his bzer and pces it on the back of the chair. He goes to the living room to watch television.

  "What are you wearing for Huey's interview?" Billy asks as Bnche sits down next to him.

  "I'm going to dress down. It's Huey's big day and I don't want to upstage him." Bnche says snuggling up to Billy.

  "I know but I also know you like to look dashing," Billy says before pecking Bnche's temple.

  Bnche leans down kisses Billy and heads to the living room entrance.

  "Where are you off to?"

  "To pick out an outfit." Bnche exudes spinning around.

  "Have fun,"

  Bnche goes upstairs to their bedroom.

  Titus and Francine are at Angelcrest Elite Academy in Titus' office.

  Titus is wearing a gray suit with a bck tie and bck shoes.

  Francine is wearing a sleeveless white dress with tidal waves at the bottom. On her feet are some dark blue pointed-toe heels. Her hair is styled in a pinup fashion.

  "What are we doing here?" Francine asks sitting across from him.

  "The new school year starts next month and I want to make sure everything is in order," Titus says before walking over to her.

  He stands behind her and pces his hands on her shoulders.

  "I need an assistant superintendent,"

  Francine smirks jovially.

  "I don't know anything about leadership,"

  Titus sits down across from her and crosses his legs.

  "It's not anything that can't be taught," Titus says getting up.

  "Where are you going?"

  "I need to speak with Charlotte," Titus says before leaving.

  Francine goes and sits behind his desk and smiles to herself.

  "This is going to be my life. I just need to have more faith in myself."

  Titus goes down to Charlotte's office and knocks on the door.

  "Come in," Charlotte says and Titus walks in.

  Charlotte is wearing a purple short-sleeve dress. Her hair is pulled back into a rge bun with two bck curved chopsticks. Her face is made up of red lipstick, bck eye shadow, and bck eyeliner.

  "Good morning Mr. Lexington."

  "Good morning Charlotte, what is on your agenda for today?"

  "I have an interview at noon."

  "Who are you interviewing?" Titus inquires walking to the registrar's desk.

  "Huey Cohen," Charlotte says sternly looking at her superior.

  Titus sms his hands on her desk.

  "I told you to throw that niggers application away!"

  "I'm sorry sir but he has the potential to be someone great,"

  Titus chuckles in response.

  "That's your nice way of saying you don't give a damn about directives," Titus says turning around and walking to the door.

  "If you interview him, you're fired."

  Titus smirks before heading back upstairs to his office.

  Adeide is at home in her sewing room standing over a brown table. She is wearing a white t-shirt and white loose pajama bottoms. Her hair is still in curlers and a bandanna. She is hemming the bottom of Georgia's dress.

  "Week seven and I'm almost done." Adeide sighs relieved as she takes the dress over to a mannequin. She pces the dress on the mannequin and does a walk around.

  "I'm sure Georgia is going to love it," Adeide says csping her hands together.

  She goes to the kitchen for a gss of water. After sipping the warm liquid she sets the gss on the counter. She goes to the wall and picks up the telephone.

  Magnolia is at Antebellum Paradise in her office preparing her invoices when her telephone rings. She looks at it hesitantly before answering.

  "Thank you for choosing Antebellum Paradise this is Director Lexington, how can I help you?"

  "Hey, Maggie it's Adeide,"

  "Hey darling how are you?"

  "I'm fine, how are you?" Adeide asks worriedly.

  A knock comes on the door.

  "Hold on one moment Adeide, come in."

  A young man in his early twenties enters the office. He is wearing a white polo shirt and bck scks. He's wearing thick bck bifocals. He walks over to Magnolia's desk.

  "Magnolia Lexington you've been served." the man says before pcing a yellow envelope on Magnolia's desk.

  "Thank you," Magnolia says and the man leaves.

  Magnolia pces the phone back to her right ear.

  "Titus is subpoenaing me," Magnolia says looking down at the envelope.