Outside the grand glass entrance of the hotel, rain had begun to fall over the city streets. Victoria stood near the valet curb, her expensive gold gown getting soaked around the hem.
Victoria: Where is my car?! Julian, why is the valet taking so long?!
Julian: Shut up, Victoria! My phone is ringing, it's my father!
Julian hit the answer button, pressing the phone frantically to his ear.
Julian: Dad! Did you talk to Sterling?! Did you fix this nightmare?!
Harrison: You absolute idiot! You just destroyed thirty years of work in thirty seconds!
Julian: Dad, listen to me, that delivery girl humiliated us—
Harrison: SHE IS ARTHUR STERLING'S DAUGHTER AND THE HEIR TO HIS ENTIRE ESTATE!
Julian's jaw dropped. The color completely drained from his face as he stared at the glowing hotel doors.
Julian: What...? No... that's impossible! She was wearing plain clothes!
Harrison: You are fired, Julian. Pack your desk by morning. I am taking away your corporate card and your apartment lease.
Julian: Dad! You can't fire me! I'm your son!
Harrison: And you are transfering one million dollars from your trust to the Sterling Charity Fund tonight. If you refuse, I will personally sign over your shares to the bank!
The line went dead with a harsh click. Julian stood frozen on the wet pavement, his hands shaking as his phone slipped from his fingers and cracked against the concrete.
Victoria: Julian? What did he say? Is he giving us seats at the main table now?
Julian: Get away from me, Victoria.
Victoria: Excuse me?! You can't talk to me like that!
Julian: My father just fired me! He cancelled your family's catering contract! We are ruined because of your big mouth!
Victoria: MY big mouth?! YOU were the one who told her to leave!
Julian: Because you were egging me on! You wanted to play the high-society queen in front of everyone!
Two valet attendants walked over, holding Julian's car keys, but their expressions were entirely cold.
Valet: Mr. Vance, your vehicle has been moved to the public street lot. Management asked us to inform you that your parking privileges here have been revoked.
Julian: What?! It's pouring rain out here!
Valet: Have a good evening, sir.
The valet turned around and walked back into the warm, bright lobby, letting the heavy glass doors slide shut behind him.
Victoria let out a high-pitched scream of rage, stomping her wet heels against the pavement as she tried to hail a passing taxi in the downpour.
Julian sank onto a concrete bench near the curb, shivering in his dark suit, watching the warm lights of the ballroom through the massive windows high above.