Chapter 4 - The VIP Lounge Confrontation
After the ceremony, the Grand Hall was transformed into a lavish reception. The VIP pass my father had stolen was meant to grant access to a private networking lounge. What he didn't know was that as the guest of honor, I was the one hosting the room.
I stood near the champagne tower, surrounded by managing partners from the top three firms in the state. They were handing me business cards faster than I could pocket them.
"Maya!"
The sharp, desperate hiss cut through the polite chatter. I turned to see my father pushing his way through the crowd, dragging my stepmother and Chloe behind him. His face was a mottled, angry red.
"Excuse me, gentlemen," I told the partners smoothly. "Family matters."
Richard grabbed my arm—a fatal mistake. Before I could even react, Chancellor Sterling’s imposing figure appeared from my left, and two security guards stepped forward, their hands resting on their radios.
"Is there a problem here, Counselor?" Sterling asked, his eyes narrowing at my father's grip.
Richard instantly let go as if he'd been burned. "No, Chancellor. Just... congratulating my daughter." He turned to me, his voice a furious whisper. "Why didn't you tell us? Do you have any idea how stupid you made us look out there?"
"I didn't make you look stupid, Richard," I replied, using his first name for the first time in my life. "You did that all on your own. When you shoved me into the sleet."
My stepmother bristled. "After everything we've done for you! We let you live in our house—"
"My mother's house," I corrected sharply, my voice dropping to a low, lethal register. "The house she left half to me in her trust, which you’ve been conveniently ignoring for three years. But don't worry, my estate lawyer will be in touch about the back rent you owe me."
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Chloe gasped, clutching her phone to her chest. "You can't do that! You're going to ruin my brand! People in my chat were asking who the 'abusive family' in your speech was!"
"Actions have consequences, Chloe," I said, picking up a crystal flute of champagne. "Consider this your first lesson in liability."
