Chapter 3
"Yes, John? Have you finally decided to be useful?"
"Not at all," I replied calmly.
"In fact, I was just thinking about investments."
"Investments?" she scoffed. "What do you know about high-level investments?"
"More than you might think," I said evenly.
"For instance, I know that building a strong foundation requires honesty."
"If the foundation is rotten, the entire building collapses no matter how expensive the paint is on the walls."
Victoria frowned, sensing a shift in the atmosphere.
"Get to the point, John."
"I don't have time for your working-class metaphors."
"Very well," I said, leaning forward.
"Let's talk about Daniel's company."
Daniel lurched forward in his seat as if he had been physically struck.
"Dad—stop," he choked out, his voice cracking with panic.
Victoria turned sharply to look at her son.
"Daniel, what is he talking about?"
"Nothing, Mom! He's just making things up!" Daniel stammered, his face turning pale green.
"Am I?" I asked softly.
I pulled my phone out of my pocket and placed it face up on the table.
The screen lit up with a notification preview from Robert:
“CONFIRMED: Daniel’s firm missed three major payroll cycles and faces immediate bankruptcy audits by federal regulators tomorrow morning.”
Part 5: The Collapse of Pride
The restaurant seemed to fall into a vacuum of absolute silence.
Thirty high-society guests stared in stunned disbelief.
Victoria’s hand shook so violently that red wine spilled over the rim of her glass and stained the pristine white tablecloth.
"What... what is this?" Victoria whispered, her aristocratic composure completely shattering.
"It means, Victoria," I said, my voice steady and cold, "that your son's company is currently bankrupt."
"It means your family is facing millions in debt and potential criminal investigations."
"And it means you are sitting here trying to extort $3,200 from me while your son's entire empire is burning to the ground."
Daniel buried his face in his hands, completely defeated.
He couldn't deny it anymore.
The numbers didn't lie, and the documents Robert had sent were airtight.
Victoria stood up so fast her chair screeched loudly against the hardwood floor.
"Lies!" she shrieked, losing all her refined pretense.
"You are a bitter old man trying to ruin my son's happiness!"
"You orchestrated this to embarrass us!"
"Look at me, Victoria," I said, standing up to tower over her across the table.
"I built my company with my own hands from nothing."