With one last look at her, and a small smile in return, I followed her father to be displayed like a prized possession.
He led me through the crowd like he was hauling a trophy, his hand clamped to my shoulder as if he was afraid that I’d bolt.
We stopped in front of a cluster of men in expensive suits, their wives standing beside them with diamond smiles.
“This is Roman. My son-in-law.” he announced with a swell of pride that had nothing to do with me as a person. “Brilliant mind. He's scored multiple interviews with Forbes—and that hedge fund he’s built at twenty-four? Phenomenal. The kind of numbers you only dream about.”
They all turned expectant eyes on me.
“Impressive,” one of the men said, extending a hand. “Which sectors are you focusing on?”
“Diversified,” I replied, shaki
