# Chapter 32: The Gala, the Glitter, and the Unwanted Guest
Hello everyone, it's me again! How are you all doing? Today I will continue to walk with you and review Chapter 32 of "Seduced By My Ex's Divorce Attorney audiobook free." This is the chapter where months of planning finally explode into a glittering night of black-tie elegance, silent auctions, fireworks, and one very unwelcome seating arrangement. Hannah’s RISE Foundation gala is here, and it is every bit as breathtaking as she hoped—until a tall, familiar shadow slides into the chair beside her.
The chapter opens with Hannah touring the venue alongside Sonya, the event planner who has clearly poured her heart into every detail. Sonya admits she was a little unsure at first because Hannah had wanted something elegant, but after running the idea by Chelsea, she decided the mix of elegance and warmth could work. She leads Hannah to a long table covered in gift baskets for the silent auction. The donations are absurdly impressive: Cubs packages, Blackhawks tickets, a weekend getaway at The Drake, and even a five-day Napa trip with a private jet. Sonya’s enthusiasm is contagious, and Hannah is genuinely dazzled. She tells Sonya that everything is perfect.
Then Sonya explains the seating strategy. Instead of grouping all the speakers together, she and Chelsea decided to sprinkle the six Winter Classics athletes in pairs among the families and program users. Sonya hopes that when the athletes see the difference the foundation is making, they will be more likely to donate their time or money later. She also wants everyone to feel included and equal. Then she shares something deeply personal: she once used a non-profit company for help while struggling in community college, and the interview training helped her land this very job. She didn’t want the people touched by the RISE Foundation’s generosity to feel separated from the people funding it. Her cheeks flush pink as she asks if that sounds terrible. Hannah, moved by her innocence and insight, tells her it sounds beautiful and well thought out.
Sonya is grateful to the One Million Degrees program, which is why she had no problem bumping a profit event for Hannah’s gala. She winks and says, “Between us, of course.” Hannah is floored by her candidness and thanks her sincerely. Sonya then heads to the podium, mentioning that the sound and video team have the ads ready to play right after the speeches and before dinner. Hannah praises her again, and Sonya drops a bombshell: they somehow got fireworks. They will go off at ten thirty for fifteen minutes before the end of the evening. Another favor called in.
But the word “firecracker” lands like a spark in Hannah’s chest. It reminds her of Roarke’s nickname for her. She pushes back the memories beating at the door, refusing to let them in, and smiles at Sonya. Sonya rests a hand on her arm and says she has to check on last-minute preparations. Then she adds, “Any friend of Roarke’s is a friend of mine.” A soft smile creases her lips, and Hannah wonders if Sonya knows about the breakup. Sonya says she is sure Roarke will be quite smitten when he arrives and sees Hannah. Hannah guesses she doesn’t know.
Soon Victoria arrives, stunning in a black dress with a puffy bottom over toned legs, her arm entwined with Reed’s. Jade wears a soft pink dress with a beaded belt, and Reed is in a classic black tuxedo. They look like the perfect American family. Victoria is speechless at the room, hand over her heart, calling it beautiful and more than she imagined. She embraces Hannah, and the warmth brings a hopeful feeling that this will not be their only gala—that RISE will succeed and there will be many more. Reed congratulates Hannah with a kiss on the cheek, then goes to keep an eye on Jade, who runs off to write on the board. Victoria asks if she needs to do anything, but Hannah tells her to just enjoy tonight. She will introduce Victoria and Chelsea at the beginning, and there are fireworks near the end, so maybe Jade can stay later. Victoria rolls her eyes and says Reed won that round—he said a late bedtime isn’t going to kill her.
Then Chelsea arrives with her usual flair, screeching, “Holy shit, it’s awesome!” She declares Sonya pure magic and says they should hire her for all their events. Victoria notices someone is missing: Dean. Chelsea thumbs behind her, saying if he thinks she needs a jacket in case it gets cold, he can wait at coat check. But Dean walks in looking handsome and exhausted, long strides bringing him to them quickly. There is the smallest hint of a baby bump under Chelsea’s tight gold dress—only noticeable to someone who knew how flat her stomach was before. Dean kisses Victoria and Hannah on the cheeks, gets smacked by Chelsea, and then asks where Reed is. When he hears Reed is in the black room with Jade, he claps his hands and jokes that he feels like he’s in college again. Chelsea rolls her eyes, and Hannah silently wonders why she misses having a man around to roll her eyes at.
Victoria says her hands are itching without anything to do, so Chelsea suggests getting a drink. Hannah agrees, thinking she could use a little cocktail comedown. The three head to the bar with about ten minutes before guests arrive. Hannah can only pray that Roarke isn’t one of them.
But of course, he is.
All the guests are seated, and Hannah is at the podium after introducing Chelsea and Victoria. The video advertising the RISE program is about to play when her voice catches in her throat. She spots the tall man winding through the tables. Roarke slides into the seat next to hers—the one reserved for him, but which was supposed to have been moved to a different table. Hannah stumbles through, “Please enjoy the... video,” and steps away from the podium as the spotlight moves off her. She bites out Chelsea’s name. Chelsea cringes and says she saw. Hannah asks why he is at her table. Chelsea shakes her head, insisting she has no idea, that she put him at another one. She bites her lip and says she knows she’s been a little out of it, but that is a detail she definitely didn’t miss. Hannah believes her. Part of her wonders if Sonya did it. God knows Sonya thinks he walks on water.
The video continues playing, and it’s time for everyone to take their seats. Since they are all at different tables, Hannah is stuck having to go sit next to him. Chelsea mumbles that Hannah should sit with Dean and Chelsea will sit where Hannah is at. But Hannah grabs her arm before it looks suspicious and says she can’t—Hannah is there with half the directors of the school districts. Chelsea’s eyes widen. She forgot. Then she says, “Well, I could act like you.”
And that is where the chapter leaves us: Hannah trapped beside the man who still owns too much of her heart, a gala full of important donors watching, and Chelsea offering to impersonate her to save the night. The tension is thick enough to cut with a dessert fork.
## Reader's Impressions & Star Rating
As a reader, I loved how this chapter balanced glamour and anxiety. The gala details are lavish and fun—the silent auction, the private jet Napa trip, the fireworks—but the emotional landmines are what make it gripping. Sonya’s backstory adds real heart and makes the event feel personal rather than just another wealthy fundraiser. The moment Roarke appears and takes the seat beside Hannah is perfectly executed: quiet, unavoidable, and loaded with history. Chelsea and Dean bring much-needed humor, and the baby bump detail is a sweet touch. My only complaint is that the chapter ends right when I needed more. Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐☆ 4.7 / 5 Stars
## Next Chapter Prediction
Roarke will not stay silent at that table. With dinner, speeches, the live auction, and fireworks ahead, he and Hannah will be forced into close proximity. I predict he will try to explain why he is there, or he will simply refuse to leave her side. Chelsea may try to run interference—perhaps by literally acting like Hannah or creating a distraction—but the real explosion will come during the fireworks, where the dark sky and booming colors will push Hannah and Roarke into an emotional confrontation. The truth about who moved his seat may also come out, and Sonya’s meddling could be exposed. One thing is certain: Hannah’s carefully built composure is about to crack.
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