I Was Seated Alone at My Son’s Wedding — Then a Stranger Said ‘Act Like You’re With Me’

She was about to receive a master class from someone who had clearly been playing this game a lot longer than she had.

“I’m sorry,” Theo said, his voice carrying the kind of quiet authority that made smart people nervous.

“Are you threatening me, Mrs. Patterson?”

Vivian lifted her chin defiantly.

I’m simply saying that if you think you can waltz into our wedding and disrupt our family, you’re mistaken.

We have security and they can escort you out if necessary.

The silence that followed was the kind that precedes either laughter or violence.

Theo chose laughter, rich and genuinely amused.

“Your security.”

He pulled out his phone and made a quick call.

“James? Yes, it’s Theo.”

“I’m at the Ashworth estate for a wedding.”

“Could you send the car around? and James, bring the portfolio.”

He hung up and smiled at Vivien with the patience of a cat watching a particularly foolish mouse.

Security is an interesting concept, isn’t it?

The Ashworths have done well for themselves in Denver society.

Regional wealth, local influence.

Quite impressive, really.

Brandon was beginning to look like a man who sensed he was standing on quicksand, but couldn’t quite figure out where the solid ground had gone.

“Mr. Blackwood, I think there may be some misunderstanding here.”

“Oh, there’s definitely a misunderstanding,” Theo agreed.

“You seem to think you’re in control of this situation.”

“Let me help clarify things for you.”

A black Mercedes pulled up to the garden entrance, and a uniform driver emerged carrying a leather portfolio.

He approached our group with the kind of respectful difference that money recognizes instantly.