Chapter 7 - The Contract Destroyed
Liam fell to his knees right there on the marble floor, completely uncaring of the scene he was making. He reached out to grab the hem of my silk dress, but my father instantly stepped between us, blocking him with an iron arm.
"Chloe, please!" Liam wept, his voice breaking in front of the entire business elite of the city. "I'm so sorry! I didn't know! I swear to God I didn't know who your father was! I love you! Please come home!"
I looked down at him with genuine pity. Not because he was losing me, but because he was so weak he had allowed his mother to destroy his entire life.
"You don't love me, Liam," I said softly. "You love peace and quiet, and you were willing to sacrifice your wife every single day just to keep your mother happy. That isn't love. That’s cowardice."
My father pulled a thick Manila folder from his jacket and dropped it onto the small table beside Beatrice’s glass.
"This is the multi-million-dollar marketing contract Vance & Miller was hoping to sign tonight," Dad declared, his voice carrying to every corner of the ballroom. "As of 9:00 PM tonight, Sterling Heritage Agriculture has officially revoked the bid."
Liam let out a strangled, choked sob, burying his face in his hands.
"Furthermore," Dad continued, turning his icy gaze to Beatrice. "As the majority shareholder of First National Commerce Bank, I have personally reviewed the outstanding commercial mortgages and credit lines extended to the Miller family estate."
Beatrice’s eyes widened in sheer, paralyzing horror. "What... what does that have to do with you?!"
"The Oakridge community land lease is held by my family trust," I revealed, leaning in close to Beatrice’s ear so only she could hear my next words. "And your mortgage is officially forty-five days in default. Foreclosure proceedings begin Monday morning."
Beatrice gasped, clutching her chest as if she had been struck by lightning. Her gold handbag fell from her fingers, clattering loudly against the floor.
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"You... you can't do this to me!" Beatrice shrieked, her voice cracking into a ragged scream. "I am Beatrice Miller! I am a pillar of this community!"
"You're a cruel, arrogant bully who cuts young women's hair with sewing scissors," I replied, my voice dropping into a razor-sharp whisper. "And your time in this community is over."
