My Family Gathered to Celebrate, Unaware I Had Just Uncovered Their Darkest Secret
Previously: When Paige's in-laws invited her to a lavish dinner to celebrate their latest business triumph, they didn't realize she had just discovered the devastating truth about what they did to her father.
The Cracks in the Empire
The main course was served with grand theatricality, but Paige could barely look at the prime cuts of meat. She watched the grandfather clock near the entrance. It was 8:14 PM. In exactly one minute, the press embargo would lift.
"A toast to Paige," Julian said suddenly, reaching over to squeeze her hand. "For standing by us through the long hours of this merger. Your father would be so proud to see where we are today."
The sheer hypocrisy of his words made Paige’s stomach turn, but she forced a polite, empty smile. "My father is definitely watching tonight, Julian," she said softly.
Right on cue, a sharp buzz cut through the laughter. Arthur’s phone vibrated against the mahogany table. He frowned, glancing at the screen, but waved it off. A second later, Mr. Greyson’s phone chimed. Then Julian’s.
Within seconds, the atmosphere at the table shifted from jubilant to suffocating. Julian’s smile vanished as he read the notification on his screen. The color drained from his face, leaving him a ghostly, hollow white.
"What is this?" Arthur muttered, his hands trembling as he unlocked his phone. "A press release? 'Vanguard Holdings under federal investigation for systematic asset theft and forgery?' This is a joke."
"It's not a joke," Mr. Greyson hissed, his voice cracking as he stood up, hurriedly dialing their corporate attorney. "Our accounts... the attorney says our assets are being frozen as we speak. The acquiring company just pulled out of the merger!"
Eleanor gasped, clutching her pearl necklace. "Julian, what is happening? Do something!"
Julian didn't look at his mother. Slowly, his terrified eyes drifted across the table to Paige, who was calmly sipping her water. The realization hit him like a physical blow.
"Paige... what did you do?" Julian whispered, his voice trembling.
"I gave my father his voice back," Paige replied, her voice steady and ringing clear over the sudden silence of the table.
”Paige replied, her voice steady and ringing clear over the sudden silence of the table.