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 4 — Victoria Had Been Trying to Impress Preston
Victoria finally admitted what happened.
Preston Vale was considering a fifty-thousand-dollar contribution to the reading project.
Nothing had been promised.
But Victoria believed the dinner could help secure it.
She wanted everything perfect.
Service.
Food.
Photographs.
Conversation.
Seating.
When Preston called about bringing his son, Victoria panicked.
The printed seating chart had already been placed at reception.
The photographer had already been given instructions.
Victoria wanted Preston beside the program director.
His son naturally needed to sit near him.
The easiest seat to move was Oliver’s.
“Why Oliver?” James asked.
Victoria hesitated.
“Because he’s family.”
James stared.
“Explain why that makes it better.”
Victoria sighed.
She assumed Oliver would understand.
He was young.
He could eat afterward.
He could still give his speech.
And serving bread for a few minutes seemed harmless to her.
“Did you ask him?” James said.
“No.”
“Did you ask me?”
“You weren’t here yet.”
“You have my phone number.”
Victoria went quiet.
James continued.
“Did you ask the caterer to add another chair?”
“They offered.”
“And you refused.”
“Yes.”
“Then this wasn’t a space problem.”
Victoria looked toward the table.
No.
It was a priority problem.
She decided one guest mattered more.
Then instead of admitting that decision…
she told a child there simply wasn’t room for him.
