Chapter 5: The Tables Turn

My assistant looked frazzled, sweat beading on his brow. My mom always knew how to turn up the heat. She never believed Natalie was real—she wanted me with someone from the right family. She’d set up so many blind dates, I’d lost count. But tonight, I didn’t care.

I pictured her at the kitchen island, tea in hand, plotting my future. "Call home. Tell her to set it up. We’ll talk when I get back."

He hurried off.

Natalie rolled her eyes at me, her contempt practically dripping. "Caleb, you really hired extras just to save face? This is pathetic. Derek is a hundred times the man you’ll ever be."

The words stung, but I barely flinched. "Sir? Your acting is even worse than mine. Now you’ve got a fake Miss Parker for a blind date. Hilarious."

Someone wandered over to Derek, shot me a dirty look.

"That’s Natalie Brooks’s ex? No wonder she dumped him. Derek’s a real catch."

"Derek’s got it all—business, the girl, power couple. They’re perfect."

Derek lapped up the praise, flashing a smug grin, arm around Natalie like he’d just won a trophy.

"Caleb, want a job? I’ll put you on as a junior manager—five grand a month, just for old times’ sake."

The crowd cheered him on.

"Derek’s so generous."

"He’s a saint, honestly."

"Shouldn’t you be thanking him, Caleb?"

I’d had enough. I called my assistant: "Find out who’s running the Hall family. Get them here now."

He didn’t hesitate—he knew I meant business.

Derek burst out laughing. "What, you calling my dad? He’s not even in the country, genius. Off in Europe somewhere. You’re killing me."

I toyed with my wine glass, jaw tight, eyes fixed on Derek. The crowd jumped in.

"Kid, you’re out of your league. Apologize to Derek."

"Yeah, apologize. Don’t make up stories about Mr. Hall."

Derek leaned in, smug as ever. "Say you’re sorry and I’ll let it slide."

I smirked. "Apologize to you? Just wait. You’ll be begging me soon enough."