Chương 5 - The In-Laws Step In
By Wednesday evening, the panic had escalated from a domestic squabble into a full-scale social emergency for Marissa.
Blake’s parents—Arthur and Eleanor Vance—were prominent figures in local real estate. They were wealthy, stuffy, and deeply obsessed with social status. They had spent months bragging to their country club friends that their son was marrying into a "prominent local dynasty with a grand riverfront estate."
When they found out that the venue had been cancelled, the permit revoked, and that Blake was facing fraud charges from my legal team, they demanded an emergency meeting.
Marissa, desperate to save face, told them that I was "mentally unstable" and had "suddenly snapped out of petty jealousy."
At 8:00 PM, I received a formal, polite email from Arthur Vance Senior, requesting a brief telephone conversation "to resolve this unfortunate family misunderstanding like mature adults."
I accepted the call.
"Ms. Sterling," Arthur Vance Senior began, his voice deep, cultured, and dripping with calculated condescension. "I am glad you took my call. I believe things have gotten somewhat out of hand between the young people."
"Good evening, Mr. Vance," I said neutrally.
"Now, Ms. Sterling," he continued smoothly, "I understand there was a minor disagreement at a family dinner. Tensions run high during wedding planning. But surely you realize that canceling your sister's venue forty-eight hours before invitations are mailed is... unseemly. It reflects very poorly on both our families."
"Mr. Vance," I said. "My estate was never a venue. I never agreed to host this wedding."
"Come now," he chuckled softly, a dry, dismissive sound. "Your sister assured us months ago that the property was available. We have already contributed significantly to the catering and floral arrangements. Blake is a young man who made a slight administrative misstep with the permit out of eagerness. Surely an heiress of your standing can overlook a minor detail for the sake of family harmony?"
"I am not an heiress, Mr. Vance," I replied coldly. "I built my company with my own capital. And Blake did not make an administrative misstep. He forged my legal signature to bypass municipal law."
There was a brief silence on the line.
"Ms. Sterling," Arthur Vance’s tone shifted, losing its polite polish, becoming hard and corporate. "Let us speak practically. My family holds substantial influence in this county. If this wedding is abruptly moved to a public hall or a cheap hotel, the social damage to Marissa and Blake will be catastrophic. Furthermore, my son's financial obligations regarding the deposit are... complicated."
"That sounds like a problem for your son and his fiancé," I said.
"If you refuse to co-operate," Mr. Vance threatened softly, "we will be forced to back Marissa in a civil suit alleging breach of oral contract and promissory estoppel. Your family members will testify that you promised her the property months ago."
I smiled into the receiver.
"Mr. Vance," I said softly. "Would you like to see the video?"
He paused. "What video?"
"The high-definition video feed from my parents' dining room last Sunday," I said, letting every word drop like a lead weight. "Where your son laughed while my sister hurled a bowl of red wine sauce into my face after declaring that I am no longer family."
The silence on the other end of the line was absolute.
"I have four high-definition angles," I continued smoothly. " complete with crystal-clear audio capture of your son discussing how he planned to use my property without paying for insurance. If you file a civil suit, that video will become public record during discovery. It will be uploaded to every news outlet in the Hudson Valley within three hours."
I could hear Arthur Vance Senior’s breath catch in his throat.
May you like
"I suggest you teach your son how to pay off his own fraudulent loans, Mr. Vance," I added calmly. "Because if I hear his name near my estate again, he will be answering to a grand jury."
I hung up the phone.
