Before he knew I would actually come.
Vanessa looked at him.
“You invited your ex wife?”
Ryan looked confused.
“I didn’t.”
I smiled.
“Oh, but you did.”
Then I revealed the signature.
The room fell silent again.
Because the invitation had not been signed by Ryan.
It had been signed by Alexander Whitmore.
Vanessa blinked.
Rebecca froze.
Ryan looked stunned.
Every wealthy family in Los Angeles recognized that name.
Alexander Whitmore was one of the richest and most powerful businessmen in California.
Three years earlier, he had taken me in.
But that wasn’t the whole story.
Not even close.
Rebecca suddenly looked frightened.
Genuinely frightened.
And that reaction interested everyone.
I turned toward the crowd.
“Most of you know Alexander Whitmore as a billionaire.”
I paused.
“But very few of you know what he discovered after my mother died.”
The room became completely still.
Rebecca’s face turned gray.
Ryan stared at her.
“What is she talking about?”
I looked directly at Rebecca.
“Would you like to tell them?”
“No.”
Her answer came too quickly.