Chapter 4

4: 4

A man in his fifties stood in the doorway.

The front of his shirt was soaked through with sweat, plastered to his chest, and he was panting like he'd run the whole way there.

The moment Drew saw who it was, his eyes lit up, and he rushed over.

"Dad, you're just in time."

He grabbed Luke Swanson's arm and jabbed a finger at me, his whole face twisted with anger.

"What kind of blind date is this you set me up with? Poor, tacky, and she reeks of fish."

"She's stunk up our chairs, and she's still sitting here bragging and running her mouth. Get someone to throw her out."

Audrey stepped forward too, chest thrust out, eager to prove herself.

"Don't you worry, Chairman Swanson. I was just teaching this girl who doesn't know her place a lesson."

"For putting the young master through this humiliation, we won't let her off easy."

Luke's chest was heaving, and he hadn't taken in a single word his son said.

His gaze went past everyone in the room and locked onto me, and his legs shook without his control.

Earl didn't catch the detail, still bouncing over to pile on.

"You have no idea, sir. She was even putting on an act on the phone just now, saying she'd cut off the supply to your restaurants."

"Faking it like it was the real thing. Hilarious. A street peddler, and she dares talk that big."

I paid them no attention.

I only stood where I was, hands behind my back, my gaze calm on the sweat-drenched Luke.

I brushed the last traces of air freshener from my cuff and spoke lightly.

"Chairman Swanson, it seems this fish seller really can't set foot over your family's threshold."

Drew was still in the dark, clinging to his father's arm, whining.

"Dad? Why are you sweating like this? You look awful. Stop spacing out."

"I've still got to go do my styling for the fish banquet. Don't let someone like her hold up what actually matters."

Before he could finish, Luke flung his hand off.

The force of it sent Drew stumbling back several steps, nearly slamming into the wall.

"Dad?"

Luke didn't even glance at him. He stumbled straight up to me and, with reverence, called out:

"President Henson!"