Chapter 3 - Cut Off at the Bar
We walked toward the grand double doors of the ballroom. As we reached the exit, I glanced back one last time to watch the first domino fall.
Julian, Vanessa’s loud-mouthed friend who had taken Lily’s chair, strutted up to the grand bar at the center of the room. He slammed his hand on the marble counter and barked an order to the head bartender.
"Hey, buddy! Give us another bottle of the '96 vintage, and throw four shots of Macallan 25 on the Bennett tab!"
The bartender didn't reach for a bottle. Instead, he looked at his point-of-sale screen, which had just flashed bright red with an administrative lock.
"I'm sorry, sir," the bartender announced in a voice that carried across the nearest three tables. "The open bar tab for this event has been closed."
Julian chuckled condescendingly. "What are you talking about? This is Eleanor Bennett’s 70th birthday. Her son Daniel is paying for everything. Just charge the room."
"The primary card on file has been removed, sir," the bartender said firmly, wiping the counter. "If you wish to order alcohol, it will be cash or individual credit card only. A bottle of the '96 vintage is $1,200."
Julian’s smug expression froze. "What?"
At Table One, Vanessa noticed the delay and stood up, smoothing down her velvet designer dress—a dress I had paid for on my Nordstrom account three weeks ago.
"Is there a problem over here?" Vanessa demanded, marching toward the bar. "Do you know how much money my brother is spending on this venue tonight?"
"Ma'am, your brother just canceled his guarantee," Natalie’s calm voice cut through the air as she stepped up beside the bartender, holding her tablet tightly. "In fact, the catering team is currently holding the six-tier cake in the kitchen until the outstanding balance of $35,000 is settled."
The ambient noise in the ballroom dipped sharply. Several of Vanessa’s wealthy acquaintances turned their heads, whispers rippling through the crowd like wildfire.
My mother hustled over, her diamond earrings sparkling under the chandelier light, her face flushed with annoyance.
May you like
"What is the meaning of this disruption?" Eleanor snapped, glaring at Natalie. "Where is Daniel? Tell him to come fix this right now! He's embarrassing me in front of my guests!"
"Mr. Bennett has left the building, Mrs. Eleanor," Natalie said, her tone professional yet chillingly detached. "And he left you with the invoice."
