Chapter 7 - The Threat
Doreen slowly pushed herself upright.
Her expensive dress was covered in frosting.
Her hair was ruined.
Her face had lost all color.
Then she looked at Taryn.
“Walk out,” she said, “and you lose every dollar.”
Taryn's expression didn't change.
Lula held her mother's hand.
The guests looked between them.
Nobody laughed now.
Nobody moved.
Doreen wiped frosting from her mouth.
“You think you can survive without this family?”
Taryn almost smiled.
“I already have.”
Doreen's eyes narrowed.
“You're nothing without me.”
Taryn looked at the company badge attached to her dress bag.
Then she reached into her purse.
She removed it.
The badge represented years of work.
It represented access to the Fairmont hotel group.
It represented the career her mother had once claimed was her greatest achievement.
Taryn dropped it into the ruined cake at Doreen's feet.
“No, Mother.”
She took Lula's hand.
“Your hotels lose me.”
May you like
Doreen's face collapsed.
For the first time, she looked genuinely afraid.
