Chapter 9 - The $75,000 Demand
The music died down as guests turned to stare at the uninvited interruption. Dad’s face was bright crimson, and Mom was trembling with rage, gripping a heavy metal decorative accent table that stood near the entryway as if she needed it to stay upright.
Julian and I stepped forward, shielding the bridal party. "Mr. and Mrs. Parker," Julian said, his voice cold and commanding. "You were told explicitly that you are not welcome here after your threats. Leave immediately, or I will have police escort you off the premises."
"Shut your mouth, you arrogant punk!" Dad roared, pointing a shaking finger at Julian. "This is a family matter! Chloe, you ungrateful little wretch! You think you can marry into wealth and pretend your own flesh and blood don't exist? You owe us seventy-five thousand dollars right now! Hand over the gift box keys, or we will ruin your marriage before the night even begins!"
Murmurs rippled through the stunned crowd. Guests whispered behind their hands, staring in shock at the grotesque display.
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"I owe you nothing," I said, stepping out from behind Julian, holding my head high. "You never loved me, Dad. You only loved what I could do for Jake. Take your greed and get out of our lives forever."
Dad’s eyes bulged. The humiliation of being defied so publicly in front of high-society guests shattered his fragile ego completely. He lunged forward past Julian with terrifying speed. "You little bitch!" he screamed, winding back his right hand and slapping me across the face with such brutal force that my head whipped to the side, my vision blurred, and I staggered violently, losing my footing on the polished marble floor and crashing hard onto the ground, tearing the delicate lace of my wedding dress.
