Part 3: The Name They Should Have Known
Emily stopped directly in front of Victoria.
For several seconds, neither woman spoke.
Then Emily said quietly:
“You should call your lawyer.”
The smile disappeared from Victoria’s face.
“What does that mean?”
Emily did not answer immediately.
Instead, she looked toward the businessman standing behind the crowd.
He could not meet her eyes.
That alone made several guests nervous.
Victoria laughed awkwardly, trying to regain control.
But nobody joined in this time.
Then Emily finally spoke.
“My father is Mayor Parker.”
Silence.
Absolute silence.
The words spread through the crowd almost instantly.
Several guests looked at Emily again.
Really looked at her.
Not as a waitress.
Not as staff.
As someone they should have recognized.
Victoria stared.
Rachel’s mouth slowly opened.
The businessman lowered his eyes completely.
Because everyone suddenly understood something.
Emily had not taken the job because she needed status.
She had not been trying to impress anyone.
And she certainly had not expected special treatment.
But the people around the pool had revealed exactly who they were when they believed she had none.
The night air suddenly felt colder.
Victoria tried to speak.
Nothing came out.
Emily simply adjusted her wet sleeve.
Then looked around the silent party.
“Interesting evening.”
May you like
And for the first time since she fell into the pool...
nobody was laughing.
