Chapter 5 - THE FAMILY DINNER FROM HELLI invited Hunter, Patricia, and Lexi to dinner.
They thought I wanted reconciliation.
Patricia arrived wearing diamonds.
Hunter wore a tailored suit.
Lexi arrived separately.
Nobody knew she had switched sides.
I stood at the head of the table.
Hunter smiled.
“I knew you'd come to your senses.”
I smiled back.
“I did.”
We sat.
Dinner was served.
For ten minutes, nobody spoke.
Then Patricia said:
“You need to apologize.”
I looked at her.
“For what?”
“For humiliating this family.”
I laughed.
“You demanded rent from me the day after my wedding.”
“You agreed to marry into this family.”
“And?”
“You owe us.”
I placed my glass down.
“No.”
Hunter frowned.
“Tess.”
“No.”
He leaned forward.
“You don't understand your position.”
I smiled.
“I understand it perfectly.”
I nodded toward the screen behind him.
It turned on.
The video began.
Hunter's face appeared.
Once Tess signs, we'll move everything.
Patricia went completely still.
The video continued.
She thinks I love her.
Hunter stood.
“Turn that off.”
I didn't move.
Patricia whispered:
“Where did you get this?”
“From your son's mistress.”
Lexi walked into the room.
Patricia stared at her.
“You?”
Lexi didn't answer.
Hunter's face turned red.
“You betrayed me.”
Lexi laughed bitterly.
“You never loved me.”
Hunter lunged toward her.
Security stepped between them.
Then I placed another folder on the table.
“Bank transfers.”
Another.
“Forged documents.”
Another.
“Fraudulent companies.”
And finally:
“The contract.”
Hunter stared.
I smiled.
“You wanted my credit.”
He said nothing.
“You wanted my money.”
Silence.
“You wanted my identity.”
Patricia began crying.
“You don't understand.”
I looked at her.
“I understand everything.”
Hunter suddenly laughed.
“You think you're powerful because your father has money?”
I smiled.
“No.”
I leaned closer.
“I'm powerful because I don't need yours.”
Then the restaurant doors opened.
My father walked in.
Behind him were three attorneys.
Hunter's smile vanished.
My father looked at him.
“Mr. Caldwell.”
Hunter swallowed.
“Mr. Sterling.”
My father placed a folder on the table.
“Your creditors have been notified.”
Hunter froze.
“What?”
“Your company's assets are being investigated.”
Patricia stood.
“You can't do this!”
My father looked at her.
“I haven't done anything.”
May you like
He smiled.
“Your son did.”
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