Chapter 2: The Smallest Trap
Amber excused herself from the table without a word.
She moved fast, head down, one hand pressed against the back of her gown.
I followed at a distance.
In the corridor outside the ballroom, she spun around.
"You switched the chairs." Her voice was low and shaking.
"You did that on purpose."
"I don't know what you mean," I said.
"Don't play games with me.
I know what you are.
You're a bitter old man who can't accept that his son chose me."
I looked at her calmly.
"Amber.
Who do you think owns Hawthorne Hall?"
She blinked.
"And the office building where Garnet's company signs its lease every January?" I let that sit for a moment.
"And the trust that paid for your engagement ring?"
Her face changed.
Not anger.
Something closer to fear.
"You're lying."
"The venue manager has my signature on file.
You're welcome to ask him."
She stepped back.
"Garnet would have told me."
"Garnet doesn't know everything." I reached into my jacket and removed a folded document.
"But his lawyer will, first thing Monday morning."
She stared at the paper in my hand.
"What is that?"
I didn't answer.
Behind us, the ballroom doors opened.
Garnet stepped into the corridor, champagne in hand, still smiling.
Then he saw our faces.
May you like
"Dad?
What's going on?"
