Julian was still by my side—his presence silent, but comforting. Some of my staff had moved closer, forming a discrete semicircle behind me. They were people who knew me, who had worked with me for years, who knew who I really was. Their loyalty in this moment meant more than I could express.
“Marlene,” I said, looking her straight in the eye, “you said I couldn’t offer anything of value to this family, that I had no resources, status, or connections. Let me correct you on that.”
She looked at me with a mix of fear and resentment.
“I own three restaurants in this city,” I continued. “This is the most exclusive, but the other two are also very successful. I own commercial properties in two different states. I have investments in tech, real estate, and international markets. My net worth is over $2 million.”
I let that settle.
“And I built it all with those mediocre jobs you despise so much.”
The silence was absolute. I could hear the clock ticking on the wall, the distant murmur from the kitchen, my own heart beating in my ears.