A murmur rippled through the room. Some people looked relieved, eager for an explanation that would let them keep their champagne and their illusions.
Vanessa tilted her head, sympathy dipped in venom. “You know how Adrian is. He loves theatrics.”
I looked at her and thought of every birthday she had ruined, every boyfriend she had taken in college just to prove she could, every time she had whispered, Men don’t choose girls like you unless they want something.
Tonight, apparently, she wanted witnesses.
“That’s interesting,” I said. “Because jokes usually end when everyone stops laughing.”
No one laughed now.
Adrian’s jaw tightened. He released Vanessa and strode toward me with that smooth, practiced charm that had fooled banks, investors, and one spectacularly foolish younger version of me.
He lowered his voice as he reached the stage. “Enough. You’re upset. We’ll talk in private.”
“No,” I said. “Private is where you hide.”
His eyes flashed. There it was. The real man beneath the tailored tuxedo and curated smile—thin-skinned, greedy, dangerous when denied.
He reached for the microphone. I stepped back.
“Tell them,” I said. “Tell them why you pushed so hard for me to sign the merger agreement before the reception. Tell them why you insisted my family’s holding company transfer its voting proxy to you immediately after the ceremony.”Family
The room shifted.