"They sent a sincere invitation." A chill laced my words. "It would be rude not to show them proper courtesy."
"Delia is truly an idiot." She shook her head. "She had the chance to be matriarch of the Ashford family, yet threw it away for a small-time real estate boss."
My sister was a chatterbox, her nagging constant as a scripture chant.
"Enough," I cut in, opening the car door. "Let's go home."
She immediately switched into theatrical servant mode. "Welcome home, Young Master! Please, enter your carriage."
Three years.
Three long years since I'd set foot in my true home.
Summit Manor. The undisputed crown jewel of Harbor City real estate.
My sister had organized a grand homecoming gala. The hall was packed with titans of industry and local elites, though I recognized few of them. I'd spent my life in the shadows, orchestrating the empire from behind the scenes.
To the public, I was a ghost. They knew the Ashfords had an eldest daughter, whispered about an eldest son, but few had ever seen my face.
"Mr. Ashford?"
A man in his sixties approached, wine glass in hand, face creased in an ingratiating smile. "Your reputation precedes you, but seeing you in person... truly elegant. Outstanding."