Chapter 10 - Dinner at Peachtree
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A week later, I went to dinner at a quiet upscale restaurant on Peachtree Street with Nathan Cole and my college friend, Grace Bell. I needed a brief escape from the endless mountain of legal filings, police depositions, and board meetings.
Halfway through our main course, Grace’s fork paused in mid-air. Her eyes shifted toward the main entrance.
"Rebecca," Grace whispered softly. "Don't look now, but your husband just walked in."
I glanced across the dining room. Daniel had entered alongside Judith and a striking woman wearing a silver cocktail dress.
Her name was Vanessa Price. She worked in commercial real estate leasing, and I recognized her from a regional conference. Daniel clearly believed she belonged to a wealthy property dynasty; in reality, her family was comfortable, but by no means elite.
Judith spotted me sitting at our window table. Instead of lowering her head, she sneered and raised her voice so the nearby tables could hear.
"Look at that," Judith announced loudly. "She’s already found another wealthy group to pay for her expensive dinners."
Grace’s hands clenched into fists, but I gently laid my palm over her wrist. "Let it play out," I whispered.
Daniel walked directly over to our table, holding a glass of wine, his chest puffed out in an act of artificial confidence.
"Enjoying the high life, Rebecca?" Daniel mocked, leaning over my table. "I’d like you to meet Vanessa. She actually understands what it takes to support an ambitious man building an empire."
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Vanessa looked uncomfortable, sensing the hostility in the air. "Daniel, maybe we should sit down..."
"No, Vanessa," Daniel insisted, smirking down at me. "I want my ex-wife to see what a real woman looks like. Someone who comes from actual money and success."
