On the other side of the hallway, more than a hundred distinguished guests and a massive presentation screen bearing my full name
were waiting for me.
The ultimate truth was only seconds away from being revealed, and Brian still failed to realize that he had just destroyed everything he thought he owned.
PART 3
“Ladies and gentlemen, please join us in welcoming Samantha Reyes, the new culinary director and partner of the project,” the announcer declared into the microphone.
The loud applause crashed over me like a giant wave.
For ten long years, I had grown accustomed to walking a quiet step behind Brian, lowering my voice whenever he spoke, and letting everyone believe that the genius recipes behind his restaurant came from his own head. That morning, for the very first time in a decade, my full name stood proudly on a giant presentation screen, and no one could ever erase it again.
Franklin Cooper, the lead owner of the luxury hotel chain, stepped forward to welcome me warmheartedly.
“Samantha designed
our entire culinary concept, brought together top regional farmers, and led the strategic growth for this project. This property would not exist today without her brilliant mind.”
Among the crowd were famous food critics, key real estate investors, and seasoned master chefs who had respected my professional work long before my marriage.
While I was speaking at the podium, my phone vibrated repeatedly in my pocket.
It was Brian again.
He sounded utterly desperate.
“Samantha… you need to call Mr. Pendelton right away and fix this.”
“Why on earth would I do that?”
“He says he is cancelling our primary supply contracts immediately. Chef Harrison is furious with me, but I genuinely had no idea who he was!”
“That is your fundamental flaw, Brian. You never cared to learn who anyone was unless you believed you could use them for personal gain.”
“It was just an unfortunate misunderstanding!”
“You called
my father’s life work trash and kicked a custom knife that took almost two full years to forge.”
I heard Beatrice panicking on the speakerphone line in the background.
“Samantha, tell that foolish man not to exaggerate everything! Today is Charles’s birthday party and we have family waiting at home!”
Even while watching her son’s career collapse before her eyes, Beatrice still believed the entire world revolved around her social calendar.
“No one is doing this to you,” I replied coldly into the receiver. “You brought this entirely upon yourselves.”
