Page 85 of A Sip of Sherry

Email chains, altered contracts, a leaked supplier list sent to a rival three weeks before my funding was pulled.

What made it all worse?My name was on every single document—documents I had never seen before today.

A sharp inhale beside me drew my attention from the screen.Sherry’s grip didn’t tighten, and it didn’t loosen, but her arms trembled.Fire radiated in her light brown eyes.She wasn’t just angry; she was angryforme.

“I stumbled on all this last night,” Char said.“This is how Redmark Reserve was dismantled from the inside, and this,” she pointed to the screen, “is the signature that ended it all.”

Another gasp erupted through the room, but my limbs became numb, jaw stuck in a tight clench.

My eyes followed the familiar signature.It was undeniable.

It was my father’s.

He stood there, arms crossed over his chest as if he was still untouchable, but there were tiny kinks in his armor.The slight twitch in his jaw, the tight lines around his eyes deepening with each controlled breath.This man who had always seemed so untouchable to me was unraveling.

And just like the last time I stood up to him, I didn’t feel victory.This time, all I felt was disappointment and anger.I was his son, but he never cared about me.

Sherry’s arms wrapped around my middle, and I pulled her close, kissing the top of her head, relishing in her familiar scent.I didn’t need him.Not when I had Sherry and this room full of people on my side.

Dad’s glare shot toward me.“You were always soft.”

“No,” I said, holding Sherry even tighter.“I was strong enough to survive you”

“You’ll regret this.All of you.”

“Is that a threat?”Albert asked, stepping forward and the old man looked more intimidating than ever before.He survived Vietnam, and I’d wager to say he could survive Edmund Golde.

Dad sidestepped him and snapped his fingers.The Men and Black cast all stood and filed out.

“Hey, where are you going?”Char called out.“We’re not done yet.”

As the last of the suits disappeared from view, the room broke out into applause.And now.

Now I felt victory.

Chapter 30

Sherry

It was the night before the big day.After two months of planning, everything was finally coming together in a beautiful array of vintage charm with old money sophistication.

Soft draping lined the rafters.Chandeliers cast a gold glow over vintage wine barrels turned to cocktail tables and transforming the barn into a warm yet lavish ceremony space.

Outside the barn doors, an expanse of white peaked tents overlooked the vineyards.Crystal chandeliers hung from the tops, tables and chairs of gold arranged around a long table for the bride and groom, complete with oversized wing-backed chairs fit for a king and queen.

Tomorrow the flowers and floral arrangement would arrive, and the tables would be filled with ivory roses and trailing greenery, candles strategically placed, giving another added glow.Each place setting had been perfectly curated down to the pressed wax seals on the menu.

This wasn’t just a wedding.It was going to be an experience.

Somehow, I managed to pull it off.Almost.We just had to get through the actual wedding before I declared victory, but with Ben’s dad and his special brand of drama behind us, victory had already come.

Ben approached with his trusty clipboard in hand.His hair was a disheveled mess from working all day in the heat to get everything perfect for my inspection.His green eyes a nice contrast to the royal blue t-shirt he had on.God, he looked good, and he was all mine.

“Inspection time.”He handed me the clipboard like he did for every event, and while I took pride in every event I planned, this one was so much bigger.There were more minute details, and we needed to get everyone right.

My eyes studied the checklist.“Tent lighting?”

“Strung and tested.Twice.No fire hazards and no flickering.All set and ready to go.”

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