“Botched?” I gasp. It’s like she’s asking for a fight today, yet she’s the one calling for calm and unity. “Excuse me, what do you mean by botched? The ceremony went off without a hitch.”
“And then your business partner almost died afteryourplate was poisoned,” Sheila replies coarsely. “I don’t know what kind of shady people you’re involved with, Willow, but you brought that into my son’s wedding. You ruined their perfect day.”
“The perfect day that I organized and executed flawlessly until the unfortunate incident.”
“Seriously, Sheila?” Cole nearly growls. “We’re doing this now?”
She sits back down and takes a long sip of her red wine, swirling the ruby-colored liquid in her mouth like a professional sommelier before she swallows. The Morgan brothers throw daggers with their eyes, while Terrence and Katrinawatch from the sidelines, wide-eyed and embarrassed, but at least they’re quiet for the moment.
“My whole purpose was to make sure that wedding turned out to be a great success,” I say, my voice trembling slightly. “I’ve never had dealings with shady people of any kind. I’ve kept myself out of trouble always. So whoever tried to poison me, I’m not directly associated with him or her, that much I can tell you. And my business took a hit, too. On top of the damageyouinflicted with your negative lobbying, I might add.”
“My negative lobbying?” She sounds insulted, but I see right through her act.
“We all know you talked smack about Willow’s agency to some of her former clients,” Toby says.
“You know nothing,” Sheila shoots back. “If I wanted Willow’s agency to go under, why would I ever push to have her plan my son’s wedding? If anything, what that poisoning incident did was prove that Willow has no business working in this industry. It was my mistake, unfortunately.”
“I find it fascinating how determined you are to turn this supposed family dinner into a colossal shitshow,” Asher tells Sheila. “It’s like you can’t help yourself. You see Willow, happy, thriving, and building her own business, and you can’t stand it.”
Sheila gives him a cold, quiet glare.
At the same time, Ian comes in with more wine while a maid adds a couple more platters of pastries to the table. We all sit back in silence, watching Ian as he smoothly uncorks the bottles and pours wine into our glasses, thenrefills the water. I steal a glance at him, and he responds with a subtle smile, as if to wish me luck for the remainder of this lunch.
Toby squeezes my hand again. Asher drinks some water and clears his throat. Cole never takes his eyes off Sheila, the hatred in his eyes burning brighter than ever. There’s a history here, pages I’ve yet to read. That much is obvious.
“On another note, I just wrapped up a merger with Nova Tech,” Asher says.
Terrence gasps, a smile crossing his face. “Whoa, the Swedish app giant?”
“Indeed. We’ve got projects in the pipeline for the next three years. And I’m expecting tripled revenues before the end of the decade, for sure.”
“Congratulations!” Katrina says. “I heard it through the grapevine that they were looking for an American counterpart to work with. I had no idea it was you who got their attention.”
Asher nods once in appreciation. “Thank you. I like to play my cards close to my chest in these matters.”
“If only you could do that with your private life,” Sheila quips.
My God, she is relentless.I
t’s so hard not to roll my eyes.
“Maybe we should just leave,” I whisper to Cole.
“I’m beginning to agree,” he says.
Toby isn’t ready. By the look on his face, I’d wager he’s just getting started, and my nerves are in a twist as I prepare myself for the worst, because I know he’s not backing down.This man will burn every bridge in sight to defend his brothers and me. It’s an otherwise admirable trait, except Sheila scares me when she’s out for blood the way she appears to be.
“What is your problem exactly?” Toby asks Sheila.
“Your disgusting lifestyle,” she flatly replies. “I mean, I’m not surprised you roped Willow into this. When you’re fat and desperate, you’ll take anything you can get, but you’re making the rest of us look bad.”
Cole straightens in his seat. “What did you just say?”
“The unpleasant truth, it seems.”
“Mom, maybe don’t—” Terrence is about to intervene, much to my surprise, but she raises a hand to silence him. And like the good boy he supposedly is only with her, he obeys, much to Katrina’s visible chagrin.
“The truth is, you’re making a mockery of the Morgan family and the Morgan name,” Sheila says. “I’ve heard it all over Manhattan and all over the Hamptons, as well, that you’re sharing a woman. And then you have the audacity to parade yourselves with her in public. And at my son’s wedding, too. I would’ve tolerated it better if you’d kept it in the family, at least, but you’re soiling our reputation.”
