Blood Ties, Blame, and Bankruptcy

All eyes locked on me like blinding spotlights.

Everyone in the room knew what The Garden of Eden was notorious for, especially the wealthy socialites who prided themselves on being part of the city’s elite.

It was a den of decadence masquerading as an exclusive private club, secretly offering escort services to those willing to pay.

Wine glass in hand, I looked icily at Archie Bourne, whose eyes were already brimming with tears.

He could win an Oscar with those waterworks. Archie almost had me believe he was the ultimate saint when he fought back the tears.

Seated at the head of the table, my mother, Chloe Bourne, grimaced hard with veins bulging along her temple.

She slammed her glass down on the table with a heavy thud.

“Archie, what are you talking about? There is a time and place for everything.”

Nothing mattered more to Chloe than keeping up appearances.

The Bourne Group had been on a downhill spiral in recent years, with the extended family fighting to push Chloe out of the game.

Chloe threw the family gala for two reasons—to play the devoted mother to the public eye and rub shoulders with the city’s elites, namely the mysterious local billionaire.

Having her flesh and blood publicly outed for working at a place like The Garden of Eden was worse for her than taking a bullet.

Right on cue, Archie jumped to my defense.

“Mom, what’s that supposed to mean? Brock’s been on his own for over two decades without even a college degree. He did what he had to do to survive. We can’t hold this against him! It’s on us for not finding him sooner!

“While I was out buying a gift for you yesterday, I happened to pass by and saw Brock getting cornered by these wealthy female execs. It really sickened me.

“He’s your flesh and blood. Don’t you feel anything for him?”

Snapping out of their shock, the family members murmured among themselves. Their chatter rippled through the room.

“I knew it. What did you expect of someone raised in the trailer park? Trash in his bones.”

“Here I thought they were welcoming back an heir, but he’s just a male escort. Hilarious.”

“Talk about terrible timing for Chloe. It’s bad enough that business is in the gutter, but now she has to deal with this dumpster fire. If it were me, I’d just pretend I never had him.”

“Archie is a good kid. Even now, he’s sticking up for the guy.”