"Elise, sweetheart, how's the wedding going? Is Scott treating you well?"
A bitter smile tugged at my lips.
"Mom, Scott canceled the wedding for another woman. They destroyed the dowry you and Dad prepared for me."
"They're demanding I apologize and pay them ten million dollars."
"What?!"
A beat of silence. Then my father's voice cut through, low and hard.
"Elise, tell me exactly what happened. I'm sending people right n—"
Before he could finish, Scott snatched the phone out of my hand and started barking into it.
"So you're Elise's parents, huh? Let me make one thing clear. Don't think some ancient favor with my grandfather entitles you to claw your way into the Delgado family!"
"I will never marry your arrogant, classless, utterly useless daughter!"
On the other end, my father's voice was calm. Terrifyingly calm.
"So you're the one who unilaterally canceled the union between the Summers and the Delgados."
"Richard Delgado built a lifetime of shrewdness and competence, and yet somehow he raised an heir who can't tell right from wrong and doesn't know the meaning of gratitude."
"Put your father on the phone. You don't have the standing to speak with me."
Scott's face flushed a violent shade of red. He ground his teeth.
"You dare address my father by name? You must have a death wish!"
"Your own daughter's getting married and you can't even be bothered to show up? You clearly don't give a damn about the Delgado family!"
Hester chimed in from the side, her voice dripping with venom.
"Calm down, Scott. I'm sure he's just too ashamed of how poor and insignificant he is to set foot in a venue this extravagant."
"Old man, take a good look in the mirror. What makes you think you're worthy of speaking to Chairman Delgado?"
With Scott backing her up, Hester's tone swelled with menace.
"I'm speaking now as the future daughter-in-law of the Delgado family. You have thirty minutes to show up at this wedding with ten million dollars in hand. You will kneel before Chairman Delgado and Scott and beg for forgiveness. Otherwise, I'll have people give your precious little daughter a very warm welcome."
"So you understand exactly what happens when you cross me and the Delgados."
No one had ever dared speak to my father like that. I knew he was furious beyond measure.