Seven Years Broken Chapter 05
When Mrs. Cunningham heard what I said, she reacted as if it were the biggest joke in the world. She pointed straight at my nose and started shouting, “Who are you trying to impress with this act? A capital takedown?
“Who do you think you are? As someone who already cut ties with the Grahams, what right do you have to put on airs?
“The Cunningham family isn’t what it used to be. Deanna built everything she has with her own ability, not from your family’s handouts!”
Her spit flew as she ranted, her tone dripping with disdain, as if everything I had just said was nothing more than childish nonsense.
Beside her, Deanna visibly relaxed. The tension in her shoulders dropped, and she let out a scoff. “Corey, stop this. I know you’re upset, but don’t try to scare people with something this ridiculous. I’m not someone who’s easily intimidated.”
Darren stood next to her, his hand still resting lightly on her stomach. “Corey, you’re taking this a little too hard. Even if Deanna chose me, there’s no need to make a scene like this.
“The Grahams might be wealthy, but the Cunninghams aren’t people anyone can just push around anymore. And with the Blackburns backing her, this only makes you look pitiful.”
The three of them spoke in turn, backing each other up, as if I were the one being unreasonable.
Just then, several guests seated at the main table suddenly changed expressions.
Parker Mcgowan, who had just been smiling and raising a toast to Harold, picked up a phone call and immediately set his glass down.
“Ms. Cunningham, I’m really sorry, but something urgent has come up at my company. I’ll have to leave the party. And about the supply contract we discussed earlier, I think it’s best we cancel it for now. Maybe we can revisit it another time.”
The moment those words left his mouth, the smile on Deanna’s face froze.
“Parker, what’s going on? We were just finalizing the contract details yesterday. Why cancel it all of a sudden?”
However, he didn’t look at her. Instead, he turned toward me, his tone noticeably more respectful.
“Mr. Graham, I’ll take my leave. If you need anything going forward, don’t hesitate to contact me.”
Without waiting for Deanna to press further, he turned and walked out quickly.
Right after that, another guest, Mr. Zack Matthews, stood up as well. “Ms. Cunningham, my apologies, but I’ll have to step out, too.
“As for the developments we’re working on together, the funding arrangements may have to be paused. Our board just sent word. They want to reassess the risks of this partnership.”
He glanced at me and gave a slight nod. “Mr. Graham, rest assured. We won’t do anything that would put you in a difficult position.”
One after another, the influential guests Deanna had painstakingly invited to elevate the occasion all began receiving calls or messages. They stood up, made their excuses, and announced they would be cutting ties with the Cunninghams.
As they passed by me, every single one of them showed respect, offering polite nods, and even handing me their business cards with both hands.
In just a few minutes, the once-packed hall was left with only the Cunninghams and a handful of distant relates who hadn’t yet processed what was happening.
The mocking expression on Darren’s face froze.
Mrs. Cunningham fell silent, her mouth hanging open as she stared at the scene.
Deanna looked completely stunned.
When she saw Phoebe Turner, who had worked with Cunningham Group for five years, about to leave as well, she finally couldn’t sit still. She rushed forward and grabbed her arm.
“Phoebe, haven’t we always had a good partnership? Why cancel now? Even if Corey and I are getting divorced, what does that have to do with our business dealings?”
