Chapter 5 - The Family Reckoning
By six that evening, news of the incident had rippled through the upper-crust social circles of Manhattan like an earthquake.
Naomi’s phone was ringing incessantly in the backseat of Julian’s Maybach, displaying frantic calls from her father, Richard Cole, and her stepmother, Beatrice.
Naomi let the phone buzz on the leather seat, staring out the tinted window at the glowing holiday lights of Central Park.
"You don't have to answer them," Julian said gently, taking her slender hand into his own warm grip.
"They haven't called me on my birthday in seven years, Julian," Naomi replied, her voice tinged with quiet sorrow.
"The only time they reach out is when their credit line is threatened."
Julian brought her hand to his lips, kissing her knuckles with deep respect.
"Then let them sweat. Tonight, you eat dinner at my townhouse without family interference."
Meanwhile, across town in an opulent Upper East Side penthouse, Richard Cole was smashing a crystal tumbler against the fireplace hearth.
Beatrice was weeping hysterically on the sectional sofa, while Vanessa sat in the corner, clutching a pack of frozen peas to her throbbing forehead.
"Do you have any idea what you've done, you brainless spoiled child?!" Richard bellowed, pointing a furious finger at Vanessa.
"The Sterling conglomerate just froze our company’s revolving line of credit! We have sixty days before our import business defaults!"
"How was I supposed to know Naomi was dating Julian Sterling?!" Vanessa screamed back in panic.
"She was wearing thrift store sneakers! She lives in Queens like a homeless person!"
"Because she has dignity, unlike you!" Richard roared, pulling his hair in desperation.
"She never asked me for a single dollar after I married Beatrice! And now she holds the key to our financial survival!"
Beatrice looked up through her tear-stained mascara, grasping her husband's arm.
"Richard, call her! Beg her! She’s your biological daughter! She won't let her own father go bankrupt over a bridal boutique quarrel!"
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Richard looked down at his phone, his hands shaking as his calls were redirected straight to an automated voicemail inbox.
Naomi had officially shut the door on the family that traded her away for high-society vanity.
