3 days before my wedding, Dad called: “I’m not wal…

My hand froze over a glass vial. He was not just trying to overshadow my wedding by hosting an anniversary gala on the same night. He was trying to buy the exact ground out from under my feet.

“What did you tell him?” I asked, my voice dropping low. “I told him our contracts do not have buyout clauses for private events,” Sarah replied. “He laughed and said, ‘Everyone has a number.’ He offered ten thousand dollars cash to cancel your reservation and transfer the permit to his catering team.

I told him to leave my office before I called security. Penny, he is in the lobby right now making phone calls. You need to handle this.”

“Do not sign anything, Sarah.

I will be right there.”

I hung up and stripped off my apron. My gloves hit the counter with a heavy thud. Preston thought his leased wealth allowed him to bypass basic decency.