“You Simply Don’t Understand Our World,” My Daughter’s Fiancé Smirked At The Engagement Party. I Didn’t Argue. I Just Smiled… And Made One Call To My Lawyer. Within Days, He Lost His Biggest Client. He Learned Too Late Who I Really Was.

Emma found me at the entrance. She looked beautiful in a blue dress, but there was tension around her eyes. “Dad, you made it.”

“Wouldn’t miss it, sweetheart.”

Derek appeared behind her, hand possessively on her shoulder.

“Thomas, glad you could make the trip.”

“Wouldn’t have missed it,” I repeated. The party was in full swing. Easily a hundred people, maybe more.

I recognized no one except Emma and Derek. Everyone else was from his world: his Vancouver friends, his parents’ friends, his colleagues from the Toronto office who’d flown out. I found a quiet corner and watched.

Watched Derek work the room like a politician—shaking hands, laughing at jokes, making sure everyone saw him with his beautiful fiance on his arm. Watched Emma try to keep up with conversations about stock options and investment portfolios and real estate markets. Then Robert clinkedked a glass and the room fell silent.

“Thank you all for coming,” he began. “Patricia and I couldn’t be happier to celebrate our son Dererick’s engagement to the lovely Emma.”

Applause, smiles. Dererick pulled Emma closer.

“When Dererick brought Emma home and told us he’d found the one, we were thrilled. She’s smart, accomplished, and clearly adores our son.”

More applause. Emma was blushing.

“Derek has always known what he wanted and gone after it with determination,” Robert continued. “Whether it was making partner at Thornton or finding the perfect woman, he doesn’t settle for anything less than the best.”

The speech went on, but I’d stopped listening because in all of it, in all of Robert’s glowing words about his son, there wasn’t a single mention of Emma’s family, of her background, of the people who raised her. When the speech ended and the champagne was poured, I made my way through the crowd toward Emma.

Derek intercepted me. “Thomas, enjoying yourself?”

“It’s quite the party.”

“Only the best for Emma.” He smiled, but it was the smile of someone checking a box. “Listen, about the wedding contribution you mentioned… Emma and I talked and we really don’t want you to strain yourself financially.

I know construction pensions aren’t exactly generous.”

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