Gasps erupted across the ballroom.
Maya shrieked and jumped from her chair.
“What?! That’s a lie! Clara doesn’t have any money! She’s a deadbeat!”
“Is she?” Julian asked coldly.
He reached inside his tuxedo jacket, pulled out a thick manila folder, and tossed it onto the head table.
“Your parents spent their retirement savings trying to keep up appearances, but when they came up eighty-five thousand dollars short on the venue deposit last month, Clara stepped in and paid the balance under a corporate subsidiary—using the profits from her own multi-million-dollar cybersecurity firm.”
My parents looked as though lightning had struck them.
Mom clutched her chest, gasping.
Julian continued.
“And as for me?” Julian continued, looking straight back at my gaping parents. “I’m not just your future son-in-law. I’m Clara’s corporate legal counsel. And effective ten minutes ago, my team filed foreclosure notices on your suburban mansion, your country club memberships, and your family trust.”
