“Your father’s assistant contacted us yesterday,” she said. “They’re requesting the grand ballroom, premium bar service, the seven-course tasting menu, and exclusive use of the grounds for the evening. Estimated cost, eighty-five thousand dollars.”
“And they have no idea I own the property.”
“None whatsoever. They negotiated rates with our events manager like any other client.”
“Perfect. Approve everything they want. Give them the presidential treatment. I want this to be the best event Mountain Crest has ever hosted.”
“Daniel, can I ask what you’re planning?”
“I’m planning to attend my father’s birthday party.”
“But he uninvited you.”
“He uninvited me from his event, but he can’t uninvite the property owner from his own resort.”
I could hear the smile in her voice. “Understood. What do you need from me?”
“Nothing unusual. Just run the event perfectly. I’ll arrive around 6:30 p.m. When my father asks what I’m doing there, that’s when I’ll need you.”
“I’ll be ready.”
I didn’t tell anyone I was coming. My phone stayed silent. No calls from family asking why I wasn’t attending. No one checking if I was hurt by the exclusion. The silence was its own answer.
Victoria called once, but it was about something else entirely.
“Daniel, do you know anyone who does website updates? The hospital’s donation page is broken.”
“I might know someone,” I said.
“Great. Can you ask around? We need someone cheap, though. The budget is tight.”
My company had a web development team of forty-seven people. Our smallest contract was two hundred thousand dollars, but she was asking if I knew someone cheap.
“I’ll see what I can do,” I said.
“Thanks. Oh, are you going to Dad’s party?”
“I wasn’t invited.”
“What? That’s weird. Must be an oversight. You should call Mom.”
“It wasn’t an oversight. Dad specifically uninvited me.”
Silence on the line. Then, “Oh. Well, I’m sure he has his reasons. You know how he is about professional events.”
“I do know.”
“Okay. Well, let me know about the website person. Bye.”
She hung up. She never asked if I was okay. Never questioned why our father would exclude me.
James didn’t call at all.
October 14 arrived with perfect fall weather. Clear skies, temperature in the mid-sixties, leaves turning gold and red across the mountain landscape. I drove up to Mountain Crest alone, arriving at 6:15 p.m. I parked in the private owner’s spot behind the main lodge, a space the guests would never see.
I was wearing a custom Tom Ford tuxedo that cost eight thousand dollars. Not because I needed to prove anything, but because I wanted to look exactly like what I was: successful on my own terms.
Patricia met me at the private entrance.
“Everything’s ready,” she said. “Your father’s party is in full swing. One hundred seventy-eight guests. Dinner service begins at 7:00 p.m. Your father just finished his cocktail-hour speech thanking everyone for coming.”
“Did he mention me?”
“He mentioned Victoria’s achievements in cardiology and James’s recent case victory. He thanked them for being exactly the successful children he’d hoped to raise.”
I felt something cold settle in my chest.
“I see.”
“Daniel, are you sure you want to do this?”