My parents and younger sister laughed loudly at my wedding. “Of course only a cripple would marry a failure like her,”

Several guests looked away.

Adrian’s fingers closed around the wheelchair brake.

Then the ballroom doors opened, and twelve executives in dark suits entered without invitation.

My father frowned.

I smiled for the first time that day….

The man leading the group was Samuel Price, Mercer Manufacturing’s chief legal counsel. Behind him came representatives from three banks, two private equity firms, and the company’s largest customer.

My father’s smile faltered. “Samuel? What is this?”

Samuel did not answer him. He walked directly to Adrian and handed him a black folder.

“Everything is executed,” he said. “Ownership transferred at nine this morning.”

Vanessa laughed too quickly. “Ownership of what?”

Adrian opened the folder but did not look down. “Mercer Manufacturing.”

The room seemed to lose all air.