Chapter 3

At 8:40 on the morning of the gala, a payment confirmation arrived in my inbox.

Thank you, Emma Reed, for authorizing Sophie Lane’s gala wardrobe and private dinner.

The charges were attached to my personal account.

Grant had used that account for hotel emergencies for years. He always said the company’s cash was tied up in expansion.

When I wanted a new coat last winter, he told me we were saving for our future.

Apparently, Sophie’s dress was part of that future.

I opened the attached invoice.

Dress. Styling. Suite service. Dinner for two.

I did not call Grant.

I replied to the vendor instead.

Please remove my personal account from this order. I do not authorize these charges.

The vendor answered within a minute.

But Grant had already been copied on the thread.

His call came before the vendor could confirm the cancellation.

“You pulled the payment ten hours before the guests arrive,” he said.

“It was my account.”

“It’s attached to the gala.”

“The dress isn’t.”

He exhaled sharply.

“Put the payment back under your account.”

“Use the hotel account.”

“You know the hotel account is tied up.”

“Then cancel the dress.”

The silence on the line changed shape.

Grant was not used to a problem that could not be handed back to me.

Sophie’s voice entered the call, soft and breathless.

“It’s okay, Grant. I can wear something old. I don’t want Emma to think I’m causing trouble.”

“You’re not causing anything,” Grant said immediately.

Then he turned back to me.

“You’re making a private grudge expensive for everyone.”

“You used my account for her.”

“I used it for the hotel.”

“Then the hotel can pay it back.”

He had no answer for that.

Sophie spoke again before he could find one.

“Emma, if it makes you feel better, I can give the dress back.”

She made it sound like I was taking something from her.

“Keep the dress,” I said. “Just stop charging it to me.”

Grant’s voice went flat.

“You’re not protecting your money. You’re embarrassing me in front of the vendor.”

“I’m removing my name from a charge I didn’t approve.”

“We’ll discuss your attitude after tonight.”

He ended the call.

A moment later, the vendor confirmed that my personal account had been removed.

Then Sophie posted in the hotel group:

Don’t worry, Grant. Emma has always been generous. I’m sure tonight will still be perfect.

Three sympathetic replies appeared before anyone asked who was paying.

My phone lit up again.

GRANT: UNLOCK THE CARD.

I’M TAKING SOPHIE TO THE FOUNDER’S SUITE TONIGHT.