The lead bodyguard, Val Whitney, let out a contemptuous laugh.
"Go right ahead. Then we'll file a report too."
"Ms. Sanchez says the coat you burned last night was worth a hundred grand. That's enough to land you behind bars for a while."
I laughed in disbelief. So this was the trap they'd been waiting to spring.
"A hundred grand? I'll wire it to her right now."
But Val snatched the phone from my hand and smashed it on the ground at my feet.
"You ungrateful piece of shit."
"Without Ms. Sanchez, you couldn't even feed yourself. Who the hell do you think you are, playing lord of the manor? You haven't even signed the marriage certificate, and you think you're her husband? Take him."
They dragged me into a car and sped off.
When we arrived, the entire banquet hall had been decorated with staggering extravagance.
Noel, dressed in a tailored designer suit, had his arm around Lauren's waist as they worked the room, greeting guests.
He carried himself like the man of the house.
The irony cut deep.
Because Lauren had said she didn't want anything flashy, yesterday's wedding had been a bare-bones affair at some no-name motel. She'd only invited a handful of her personal friends, so most people in her circle didn't even know the wedding had happened.
I'd understood. I knew how hard she worked for her money. Besides, once I brought her home to meet my family, we'd throw a proper celebration. Everyone would see the announcement. The whole world would know.
So I hadn't minded.
But the Regalia was the most exclusive hotel in Capital City, operating on an elite membership system. Only those who met a certain threshold of status and wealth were even eligible to walk through the doors. A single banquet there ran into the millions.
And she'd booked it for Noel's anniversary. She'd even invited the press.
When Lauren spotted me, she walked over with a frown.
"The owner of the calligraphy class said you quit. Said you're leaving. Where do you think you're going?"
My voice came out flat. Dead.
"Home. To take care of my grandfather. Is that a problem?"
A smug, superior smile spread across her face.
"So you've finally figured it out. Without my protection, you can't survive a single day in this city. Your only option is crawling back to your little village to slop the pigs."