Martin's phone buzzed the screen lighting up with Valentine's name. He stared at it for two rings, thumb hovering over the decline button. Then he answered, voice flat.
"Father."
"Martin." Valentine's tone was clipped, efficient, the same voice he used to close deals. "The official invitation for the engagement party went out this morning. Katherine's father, Victor Thorne, is calling you personally in the next few minutes. He wants to confirm you'll be there. Saturday night. The Thorne estate. Black tie. No excuses."
Martin leaned back in his chair, staring at the dark ceiling of his office. The rain from last night had left streaks on the floor-to-ceiling windows, distorting the city below.
"I already told you," he said quietly. "I'm not going."
