”
The security director stayed where he was.
I kept walking down the aisle between tables covered in white roses and gold candles. Noah’s fingers tightened around mine, but he continued forward. I had promised him there would be no shouting from us, no matter what his father chose to do.
Derek stepped down from the stage. “Claire, this is pathetic. You couldn’t stand seeing me happy?”
“I came because you mentioned my child.”
“Our child,” he snapped.
“Interesting. You remembered that tonight.”
Vanessa leaned toward the microphone. “Everyone knows she uses the boy to demand money.”
Noah flinched. Dad’s jaw tightened, but I touched his sleeve. Not yet.
Derek mistook our control for fear. He climbed back onto the stage and opened his arms.
“Since my bitter ex has interrupted, perhaps she should meet the man responsible for my success.” He pointed toward the table where Vale Meridian executives were seated. “Tomorrow I become senior vice president. That promotion paid for all this.”
“No,” said Dad. His voice filled the room without needing a microphone. “It did not.”
Derek stared at him. Recognition moved slowly across his face. He had seen Dad in annual reports, shareholder meetings, and framed portraits inside corporate headquarters.
The blood drained from his face.
Dad stopped below the stage. “Arthur Vale.”
Silence spread across the ballroom.
I placed my hand on Noah’s shoulder. “And my father.”
Margaret dropped her champagne glass. Vanessa whispered, “You said
