Oliver Was Forced to Serve Dinner While Everyone Else Sat Down — Then His Father Found the Place Card Proving His Seat Had Been Removed on Purpose
Chapter 2 — The Guest Who Arrived Without an Invitation
Preston Vale Jr. was sitting three seats away from Oliver.
He was eleven.
Well dressed.
Quiet.
And clearly uncomfortable with the attention.
Beside him sat his father, Preston Vale Sr.
James knew the name immediately.
Preston Vale owned one of the largest commercial property companies in the city.
He was also considering a major donation to the children’s literacy program Victoria chaired.
James looked toward Victoria.
“Was he invited?”
Victoria answered:
“Preston was.”
James pointed toward the boy.
“I asked about his son.”
Victoria hesitated.
“Not originally.”
The Vale family’s babysitter canceled at the last minute.
Preston called Victoria less than an hour before dinner.
He asked whether he could bring his son.
Victoria immediately said yes.
“Fine,” James said.
“Add a chair.”
Victoria looked annoyed.
“The table was already set.”
James stared at her.
“So?”
“It would have been crowded.”
“This room could fit another chair easily.”
Victoria said nothing.
James looked around.
There was clearly enough physical space.
Then one of the caterers, Mia, stepped forward.
“Mr. Bennett?”
Victoria immediately looked toward her.
“Mia.”
The warning in her voice was obvious.
Mia hesitated.
James noticed.
“What?”
Mia looked toward Oliver’s chair.
“We offered to add another place setting.”
The room became silent.
James turned toward Victoria.
“You were offered another chair?”
Mia nodded.
“Yes.”
“And?”
She looked toward Victoria.
“Mrs. Hale said not to.”
James’s face hardened.
“Why?”
Mia swallowed.
“She said the table needed to look balanced for photographs.”
Oliver stared down at his cupcake.
James looked toward Victoria in disbelief.
“You removed my son’s seat because the table would look uneven?”
Victoria shook her head.
“It wasn’t only that.”
James folded his arms.
“Then I suggest you explain the rest.”
