Chapter 7 Chapter 7 "Lose it all?" Scarlett just stood there, totally frozen. Declan looked like he'd been struck by lightning: "Grace... w-what are you saying?" My dad stepped forward coldly, positioning himself protectively in front of me. He no longer spared a glance for the pathetic Declan or shell-shocked Scarlett. His sharp gaze swept over the Montgomery family members, whose faces had gone ashen, his voice commanding and authoritative: "Harrison, looks like our families' partnership needs... reevaluation." "Mr. Whitmore! What are you talking about?!" Harrison's cane hit the ground hard as he tried to maintain composure. But the panic in his eyes was unmistakable: "The kids having some drama shouldn't affect our business relationship! Declan screwed up-we'll discipline him properly and make sure Grace gets justice!" My mom wiped away her tears, voice icy with suppressed rage: "Justice? Mr. Montgomery, was the video fake? Is the pregnancy fake? Or does your family think my daughter DESERVES this humiliation?!" My dad didn't waste another word, pulling out his phone and making a call that carried clearly across the silent lawn: "Sarah, notify everyone immediately." "First: Cut all future funding for Montgomery's project." "Second: Pull our tech people and patents out of the Montgomery New Energy joint laboratory." "Third: Cancel the exclusive shipping deal with Montgomery subsidiaries. Do it now!" Those three sentences sent shockwaves through the gathered guests: [Holy shit! That's Montgomery's flagship project for the next five years-if Whitmore pulls funding, they're DONE!] [Without Whitmore's core technology and team, that lab project is worthless!] [Once that shipping contract ends, Montgomery stock is gonna tank!] [The Whitmores are declaring war on the Montgomerys!] [Declan just torpedoed his whole damn family!] In the crowd, several suited middle-aged men exchanged grave looks. One was actually Montgomery's primary bank's head of lending. He quietly stood up, leaving with his assistant without a word to anyone. That silent exit was an ominous sign-a preview of Montgomery's fate. "NO! Mr. Whitmore! Please!" Declan was completely panicked now, stumbling toward my father. 12.2% Chapter 7 His voice desperate: "It's MY fault! All mine! Punish me however you want! Just don't pull the funding! Don't end the partnerships!" "The Montgomery family... We can't survive this!" He tried to grab my dad's sleeve but was coldly avoided. Declan's stepmother shrieked: "Mr. Whitmore! You can't do this! This will DESTROY the Montgomery family! Declan's young and stupid-we..." "ENOUGH!" Harrison barked at her, face like thunder. When he turned back to my dad, his voice held unprecedented desperation: "Robert, let's negotiate! We'll offer Grace maximum compensation! Stocks! Properties! Name your price!" But it was useless. Did he think the Whitmore family needed his scraps? Pathetic. I linked arms with Emma, my voice perfectly calm: "Dad, Mom, Emma-let's go. This place reeks." My dad nodded, and we walked toward the exit without looking back. Security quickly formed an escort, protecting us all the way out. What had been a fairy-tale wedding was now a complete joke. Declan tried to chase after us but ate our dust. He screamed from behind: "Grace! Don't leave! Please! Give me one more chance!" I never looked back. 10:22 Dear Hubby. Your Biggest Mistake? Thinking I'd Reg Instead of Burn 12.69%