Chapter 4

“You…!”

I stood and took Jenna’s hand, signaling that she didn’t need to worry.

Then I turned to Ethan with a gracious smile.

“Well, Mr. Reed. You’ve certainly learned to throw your weight around since I last saw you.

“No one would guess that a few years ago, you were just a broke guy begging me to help you.”

My words ripped straight through Ethan’s polished image, exposing the desperate man underneath for everyone to see.

He was clearly furious. His face couldn’t have looked any darker.

“Claire Bennett, you think that can hurt me? I’m not that broke kid anymore.

“Whatever you say, I’m the successful one. If you ask nicely, I might overlook this and give you a job at my company.

“Otherwise, I have the power to drive you out of Ashford and make sure you never hold your head up again!”

I gave a cold laugh.

“Ethan, you’ve gotten a lot dumber these past few years. I guess it’s true—you really are the company you keep.

“You got where you are because of the technology I gave you.

“But don’t forget, technology becomes obsolete. The knowledge in my head isn’t going anywhere.

“I’ve never worried about finding work. Talent is hard to come by.

“You, on the other hand, will go under once your technology falls behind.

“And I doubt anyone will want to help a backstabbing ingrate.

“Why would they, knowing they’ll end up just like me?”

Ethan had no answer. He could only glare at me as if he wanted to burn a hole straight through me.

The people who had been kissing up to him fell silent, too, concentrating on the food on their plates.

Then Sophie stood.

She stepped in front of Ethan protectively and spoke with fierce conviction. “Ms. Bennett, maybe you deserve some credit for Ethan’s success, but most of it came from his own hard work!

“While you were living it up overseas, Ethan stayed awake for days working for his company. He drank with clients until his stomach bled!

“Where were you when he was lying in a hospital bed? Partying abroad!

“I was the one by his side. I watched him build himself up. I took care of him when he was sick. I comforted him when he was hurting.

“And now you come home with your fancy credentials and dismiss everything he’s done with a few careless words!

“Do you know he still has stomach problems from all that drinking?

“You don’t know anything. What gives you the right to judge him?”

By the end, Sophie was so worked up that she had started crying.

Ethan’s eyes reddened, too. He pulled her tightly into his arms and planted a loving kiss on her forehead.

The rest of us stared, stunned. Not because we were moved, but because… we were disgusted.