Chapter 8 - The Envelope David Feared.
Thomas looked at David instead of the envelope.
"Why not?"
David stepped forward.
"Because it's probably business material, and this is not the time."
Thomas turned the envelope over.
His name was written across the front in black ink.
There was no return address.
Olivia watched David's face.
"You know what's inside."
"I don't."
"Then why are you afraid of it?"
David looked toward Ryan.
Ryan's expression told everyone he knew something too.
Thomas noticed.
"Ryan?"
Ryan rubbed a hand across his jaw.
"I think it may be related to the bridge financing."
Olivia's eyes narrowed.
"Bridge financing?"
David snapped.
"Ryan, stop talking."
Ryan finally lost patience.
"You brought me here because you wanted me to talk to her father."
David stared at him.
"Not like this."
Thomas opened the envelope.
Inside was a two-page proposal from Mercer Urban Systems.
The document requested a temporary private loan of two million dollars from Grant Family Holdings.
It included a repayment schedule, a proposed interest rate, and David's signature.
Thomas read the first page twice.
"I have never seen this."
Olivia looked at David.
"You prepared a loan request to my father without telling me?"
David spoke quickly.
"It was only a backup plan."
Thomas turned to the second page.
"It says you expected to discuss it during today's reception."
David's face tightened.
"I wanted the right moment."
Olivia gave a stunned laugh.
"Our wedding reception was the right moment?"
David looked at her.
"Your father believes in the company."
Thomas folded the document.
"I believe in clear disclosure."
David's voice hardened.
"This has nothing to do with our marriage."
Olivia stared at him.
"You planned to ask my father for two million dollars at our wedding."
She held up one hand before he could answer.
"Please do not tell me it has nothing to do with our marriage."
Emily remained several feet away.
She had nothing to do with the envelope and had never seen the proposal.
Still, David looked at her as if she had placed it there herself.
"How did you get this?"
Emily's eyebrows rose.
"I didn't."
"Your people knew about our funding."
"That doesn't mean I mailed your proposal to Thomas."
Ryan spoke quietly.
"I left it."
Everyone turned toward him.
David looked as if he had been struck by the words.
"You what?"
Ryan swallowed.
"Last night."
"Why?"
"Because you told me to approach Thomas during the reception whether Olivia knew or not."
David moved one step toward him.
Ryan stayed where he was.
"I decided he deserved to see it before you put him on the spot in a room full of people."
Thomas looked at Ryan.
"That was you?"
Ryan nodded.
"Yes, sir."
David's voice shook with restrained anger.
"You had no right."
Ryan looked exhausted rather than afraid.
"Maybe not."
He glanced at Olivia.
"But I was tired of being asked to make personal pressure look like business strategy."
The wedding coordinator appeared again but stopped when she saw everyone's faces.
Olivia turned toward her.
"How long can we hold the ballroom?"
The coordinator hesitated.
"As long as you need."
Olivia nodded.
"Good."
David stared at her.
"What does that mean?"
She looked down at her wedding dress, then back at him.
"It means there is no ceremony until I decide there is a ceremony."
A murmur spread among the guests inside the lobby.
David lowered his voice.
"You're embarrassing us."
Olivia's expression became still.
"No."
She looked at the envelope in her father's hand.
"I think you are finally seeing what embarrassment feels like when you cannot control the story."
David looked toward Emily again.
"And she's enjoying every second."
Emily's response was immediate.
"I'm not."
She stepped closer.
"I would rather be eating pancakes with my daughters than standing here."
Then she looked directly at Olivia.
"You do not owe me an explanation for whatever you decide next."
Olivia nodded once.
"Thank you."
David's eyes narrowed.
"Don't act noble."
Emily's face hardened.
"This is not about being noble."
Her voice was quiet.
"It is about not using someone else's wedding to settle an old marriage."
Thomas folded the proposal and slid it back into the envelope.
"David, I have one question."
David turned reluctantly.
Thomas held up the paper.
"Did Olivia know you intended to ask me for this money today?"
David looked at Olivia.
Then he looked at the crowd gathering behind the glass doors.
Finally, he answered.
"No."
Olivia closed her eyes.
When she opened them, something had changed.
"Then I have one question too."
May you like
She handed her bouquet to a bridesmaid.
"What exactly were you planning to tell me after the wedding?"
