Marcus smirked, clearly expecting a toast. Instead, I looked right at the server.
“Could you please separate the bill for my son and me from the main event?” Marcus’s smirk vanished.
“Everything Leo and I ordered will go on my personal credit card,” I announced to the room. “My other account will only cover the original $4,500 package I authorized. All upgrades should be charged to the person who signed for them.”
My dad’s head snapped up. “Sarah, sit down.”
The server looked panicked. “I’ll grab the manager to assist you.” “I’d appreciate that.”
My mom slammed her fork down. “Why on earth are you bringing up money at your father’s retirement party?”
“Because my son was just handed a hot dog while I was expected to subsidize everyone else’s premium steak.”
Marcus laughed.
“You’re making a scene.”
“I authorized five kids’ steak dinners. Why was Leo’s changed?”
Marcus refused to meet my eyes.
The manager walked in holding a tablet.
“I’m Ms. Sterling,” she said professionally. “I understand there is a question regarding the event charges.”
“Yes,” I replied. “My card authorization is strictly capped at the original package.”
“That is correct,” she nodded. “The add-ons were authorized under Mr. Marcus Hayes’s signature.”
Marcus relaxed slightly.
“Exactly. So we don’t have a problem.”
Ms. Sterling turned to him.
“Actually, sir, there is a slight issue. The secondary payment card you agreed to put on file was never provided. Unless another form of payment is given tonight, you are responsible for the remaining balance.”
Marcus’s jaw clenched.
Dad looked at him.
“You told me you gave them your card.”
“I meant to.”
I turned to the manager.
“What exactly was added to the bill?”
She tapped her screen.
“Prime cuts for the adults, four premium wine tiers, a seafood appetizer course, a customized fondant cake, and truffle side dishes.”
“And what about my son’s meal?”
Ms. Sterling scrolled down.
“One of the children’s steak dinners was modified this afternoon to a hot dog from the bar menu.”
You could hear a pin drop in that room.
I glared at Marcus.
“You canceled Leo’s steak?”
He threw his hands up.
“The total was getting ridiculous! And he barely eats.”
“You were the one on the hook for the extra costs.”
“I assumed once we were all here, you’d pitch in.”
“So you axed my kid’s dinner while keeping thousands of dollars of wine flowing?”
“He wouldn’t even appreciate a good steak!”
Leo heard every single word.
His eyes welled up, but he quickly blinked the tears away.
I looked back at Ms. Sterling.
“Please bring him the steak dinner he was originally supposed to have, with the mashed potatoes and greens. He’ll also be having the chocolate strawberry cake.”
Leo looked up at me.
“Is that really for me?”
“Yes,” I told him. “It was yours all along.”
The manager gave him a warm smile.
“I’ll have the kitchen rush it right out.”
