He knew lawyers had created layers of agreements around his expansion.
What he didn’t know was how many of those doors led back to the same person.
My father.
I had insisted Dad remain invisible.
“I don’t want Kyle feeling like he owes my family his life,” I had said.
Dad’s answer had been simple.
“Then make sure he remembers he owes somebody.
Arrogance starts when a man mistakes access for ownership.”
I had dismissed it as cynicism.
Now Kyle was learning exactly what Dad meant.
He ended the call and immediately dialed someone else.
“Get legal on the phone,” he snapped.
“Now.”
Thalia’s smile had disappeared.
“Kyle, what’s happening?”
“Nothing.”
He said it too quickly.
His phone vibrated again.
Then one of the board members near the windows checked his own device.
His brows rose.
Another board member did the same.
Within seconds, nearly half the room was looking at their phones.
Kyle noticed.
“Nobody leaves,” he said.
That was a mistake.
These weren’t his servants.
They were directors, investors, executives, and advisers.
Men and women who tolerated Kyle’s arrogance because his company made money.
One older director looked up.
“You don’t have the authority to order us to remain in your house.”
Kyle’s face reddened.
“This is a private event.”
“Apparently not anymore.”
The director walked toward the study with two others behind him.
Thalia grabbed Kyle’s arm.
“Tell me what’s going on.”
He shook her off.
“I said nothing.”
I picked up the divorce folder from the floor.
Kyle saw me moving toward the sofa.
“Where are you going?”
“I’m sitting down.
You hurt me.”
For the first time, several guests looked directly at him instead of pretending they hadn’t witnessed it.
The balance in the room shifted by a fraction.
Kyle sensed it too.
“She was hysterical,” he said.
“She came at me.”
I stared at him.
He stared back.
Then one of the servants near the wall looked away.
Kyle understood immediately that too many people had seen what happened.
Thalia whispered, “Stop talking.”
He rounded on her.
“Don’t tell me what to do.”
Her expression changed.
