Chapter 3 - Interrogation Over Champagne
The seating arrangement was an obvious trap set by Diane Bennett.
Nora and I were placed directly across from Miles and Nora’s older sister, Victoria. Diane sat at the head of the long table, positioned perfectly to direct the cross-examination. To my right sat Evelyn Bennett, the seventy-five-year-old birthday matriarch, who looked thoroughly entertained by the emerging war.
"So, Evan," Diane began, tapping her silver fork against her cloth napkin as the first course was served. "Nora tells us you travel extensively. Cole Development has projects in Miami and New York, doesn't it?"
"We do," I said smoothly, cutting my steak. "Though my primary focus remains here in Charleston. Specifically the port expansion and logistics."
"Logistics," Miles chimed in with a thin, polite smirk. "A polite word for shipping. I deal in venture capital myself. High-growth tech, green energy. Real estate and docks feel a bit... heavy-handed these days, don't you think?"
Nora’s hand tightened on her linen napkin beneath the table. I reached down, placing my palm gently over hers. The tension in her shoulders dropped a fraction.
"Heavy-handed or foundational, Miles," I replied, looking him dead in the eye with an unreadable expression. "Tech platforms are wonderful until you actually need physical materials built, moved, or protected. Without the docks, your venture capital doesn't have a floor to stand on."
A quiet chuckle came from Evelyn at the head of the table. "He's got you there, Miles."
Miles’s smile tightened, but he didn't back down. "Still, it takes a certain... ruthless nature to manage port operations in this city. Rumor has it the waterfront unions aren't easy to work with."
"They're very easy to work with," I said calmly, taking a sip of red wine. "If you respect their time, keep your word, and don't make promises you can't keep. People usually only run into trouble with me when they lie."
The subtle warning in my voice hung over the table like a cold fog. Even Diane seemed to pause, sensing that poking too hard at Evan Cole might yield results she wasn't prepared to handle.
Determined to shift the narrative back to her control, Diane cleared her throat and turned her gaze to Nora.
"Well, speaking of keeping promises," Diane announced, raising her voice so the surrounding relatives could hear, "Victoria and I have wonderful news. We just finalized the lease for the new event venue on King Street. Nora, we've assigned you to lead the interior design and catering logistics starting next Monday."
Nora froze. Her fork hovered an inch above her plate.
"Mom," Nora said, her voice small but clear. "We discussed this. I'm not taking on the King Street project."
"Nonsense," Diane laughed dismissively. "You're just nervous. You always get cold feet before big expansions. Miles has even offered to manage the financial restructuring for the new venture."
"She said no, Diane," Evelyn interjected sharply from her chair.
"Mother, stay out of this," Diane snapped politely. "Nora belongs in the family business. She's just being naive."
I felt Nora’s hand beneath the table trembling. She looked at her mother, then at Miles, who was giving her a patronizing, reassuring smile that said let the adults handle this.
This was the moment. The reason I was paid a thousand dollars.
May you like
I set my wine glass down with a soft, deliberate click that drew every eye at the table straight to me.
"Nora isn't taking the King Street project, Mrs. Bennett," I said, my voice carrying an absolute, unshakeable weight that silenced the entire room. "Because she's opening her own business."
