Chapter 5

Derek stood with his hand stretched out, waiting for a kingdom that was no longer his.

I didn't even look at his hand.

I walked right past him, stepped up onto the small wooden stage, and wrapped my fingers around the microphone.

The dining room went dead silent. Every guest, food blogger, and employee stared at me.

"I have an announcement to make," I said. My voice was dangerously calm, cutting through the room like shattered glass.

Derek pushed his way through my security guards. He stepped onto the stage, his face flushing with sudden, frantic anger.

"Maren, what kind…