“I don’t know who you think you are, walking into my son’s engagement party like this.”
My father looked directly at her.
“I am the father of the woman you just slapped twice.”
Part 2:
The room seemed to inhale at once.
Vivian’s eyes flicked toward me near the entrance, then back to him.
“Your daughter deceived us.”
“No,” my father said. “My daughter protected herself from people exactly like you.”
Conrad’s face turned gray.
“Richard, please. This is a family misunderstanding.”
“A misunderstanding?” My father glanced toward my cheek. “Your wife assaulted my daughter, insulted her publicly, ripped a ring from her finger, and threw her out of an event where she was supposed to be the bride.”
Ethan finally moved.
“Mr. Vale, I can explain.”
I looked at him.
“You already had your chance.”
He stared at me as though my disappointment was the cruelest part of the night.
My father turned to Martin.
“Proceed.”
Martin opened the folder.
“Effective immediately, Vale Capital is calling the bridge loan extended to Blackwood Development Holdings, under the default clauses triggered by misrepresentation in the December financial disclosures.”
Conrad looked as if the floor had vanished beneath him.
“That loan cannot be called.”
“It can,” Denise said evenly. “And it has.”
Martin continued.
“Additionally, all pending partnership discussions with Blackwood Development are terminated, including the Harborline tower project, the Stamford medical campus expansion, and municipal bid advisory support.”
Vivian’s mouth opened.
“You can’t ruin us over some dramatic girl.”
My father’s eyes hardened.
“You still don’t understand. You did not insult some girl. You assaulted my daughter.”
Ethan stepped toward me.
“Lena, please. Tell him to stop.”
I almost laughed.
“Now you want me to speak?”
His face flushed.
