Chapter 3 - The Silent Partner Speaks
The table went white,
not from the linens,
but from the sudden drain of blood from Tessa and Colton’s faces.
Marcus didn't walk;
he marched toward us,
his presence commanding enough to halt the movement of every server in the room.
Douglas Langford,
thinking he was about to get a personal greeting from the legendary chef,
actually stood up and straightened his jacket.
"Chef Thorne,
a magnificent meal as always,"
Douglas said,
extending a hand that went completely ignored.
Marcus didn't even blink.
He walked right past Douglas,
right past Tessa,
and stopped at the far end of the table where I sat.
He didn't just stand there;
he bowed,
a deep,
respectful gesture that silenced the entire dining room.
"Madam Mercer,"
Marcus said,
his voice booming like a cannon in the quiet air.
"I was not informed that the owner of this establishment was dining tonight."
Tessa’s fork clattered against her plate,
the sound echoing like a gunshot.
"Owner?"
she stammered,
her voice reaching a shrill,
unsteady pitch.
"Evelyn?
Chef,
there must be some mistake.
She’s just...
she’s just Colton’s mother."
Marcus turned his head slowly,
looking at Tessa as if she were a piece of spoiled meat he had accidentally stepped on.
"She is the reason this house exists,"
Marcus said,
his voice low and dangerous.
"She is the one who hired me.
She is the one who signs the checks.
And she is the one who holds the deed to every square inch of the ground you are currently sitting on."
Colton looked like he was about to faint,
his mouth hanging open as he stared at me as if I had suddenly grown wings.
"Mom?"
he whispered,
the word sounding small and pathetic.
"You own Beaumont House?"
I didn't answer him immediately.
I looked at the lobster on his plate,
then at the glass of water in my hand.
"I do,
Colton,"
I said,
standing up slowly.
"And I also own the debt on the luxury condo you and Tessa just moved into,
the one you asked me to help co-sign for through my 'connections'."
The table was paralyzed.
Valerie and Douglas looked at each other,
the realization dawning on them that the woman they had treated like a servant was the one who could destroy their social standing with a single phone call.
I looked at Nathan,
who was standing nearby with a look of pure satisfaction.
"Nathan,"
I said,
my voice clear and cold.
"The lobster looks a bit overdone,
doesn't it?
Please clear these plates.
These people are no longer hungry."
"Yes,
Madam,"
Nathan said,
moving with a speed that left the four of them stunned.
In a matter of seconds,
May you like
the food was gone,
leaving nothing but empty spaces and the lingering scent of butter.
