SANDRA’S POV
“I already told Austin I’m not interested in pretending everything is fine.” Dad looks up from his laptop. “You’re not pretending anything.”
“Yes, I am.”
“Sandra.” The warning in his voice makes me stop pacing. We’re sitting in his home office surrounded by contracts, financial reports, and enough paperwork to give me a headache.
“The gala matters,” he says calmly. “Not because of Austin.” I cross my arms. “Then why?”
“Because half the investors attending will decide whether this company survives the next two years.”
That lands damn it, dad notices immediately. “Exactly.” I sink into the chair opposite him.
“You don’t have to smile, you don’t have to entertain anyone, just show up.”
“Dad…..”
“Please.” The single word ends the argument because he doesn’t sound like a b
