From Dust To Dynasty

6

The drive to the engagement meeting felt longer than Caleb had expected. Dressed in his best and only suit, a well-maintained piece he'd meticulously cared for, he sat in the unfamiliar luxury of the car, a knot of apprehension tightening in his stomach. He fiddled with the chain around his neck, the small, intricate locket against his skin. It was his anchor, a tangible piece of a past he barely remembered

 As they approached the sprawling Reed estate, the sheer scale of the place was overwhelming. Manicured lawns stretched to meet a grand, imposing mansion that seemed to breathe old money and privilege. This was the engagement meeting of the Callahan cousins, the Williams, and the Reed family, and Caleb was here to set it all ablaze.

 Diana was quiet, a careful mask of poise on her face. She wore a midnight blue gown that shimmered like deep water, its elegant cut flattering her slender frame. Diamonds glittered at her throat and ears, catching the light as the city lights blurred past. Her dark hair, usually meticulously styled, was pulled back simply, highlighting her sharp cheekbones and intelligent eyes, which held a mixture of anxiety and fierce determination.

 Caleb’s fingers found the golden pendant hidden beneath his shirt. It was old-fashioned, simple, unlike anything Diana wore. Yet, when she'd helped him select the suit for tonight, she hadn't once mentioned it. Instead, she’d given it a brief, appreciative glance. He clutched it. It was from his birth mother, according to Ms. Laura. His only tie to a past he couldn't remember.

 The limousine pulled to a silent halt. They stepped into a ballroom already buzzing with hushed murmurs and polite laughter.. The Callahan family was already present: Mr. Callahan, imposing even seated, his assistant Richard nearby. Tony Callahan stood by a tall window, a predatory smile on his face. The Reed family was here too, Mr. Reed rigid at the head of one table, Michael lurking near him. Across the room, Leo William, Diana’s supposed fiancé, stood with his parents, Angela and William Williams.

 "Well, well, if it isn't Caleb, the boyfriend of the hour," Tony's voice sliced through the genteel chatter, laced with a familiar, cutting amusement that drew curious glances. "Didn't think you'd actually show your face here, seeing as this isn't exactly your usual stomping ground. Did Diana have to bribe you with a free meal to get you to grace us with your presence?" His gaze raked over Caleb's suit, a sneer twisting his lips.

 Diana stepped forward, her hand gently but firmly resting on his arm. "Tony, that's enough," she said, her voice composed but firm. "Caleb is my guest, and he's here at my invitation. Let's try to maintain some decorum, shall we?"

 Tony merely scoffed, 

 Michael Reed stepped up, a smirk playing on his lips. "Guest? Or your latest sex toy, Tony? My Father’s been quite concerned about her recent... choices." He angled his body, blocking Diana slightly, then lowered his voice, though still loud enough to be heard. "You know, the kind of choices that deliver takeout."

 Caleb’s jaw tightened. He felt every eye in the room, the Last person he wanted to see was Tony, Cathy's husband.

 Tony chuckled, a harsh sound. "Right. So, he's the new toy, is he? Tell me, do you pay him by the hour, Diana? Or does he just come cheap?"

 Diana moved forward, her voice cutting through the smugness. "You will not speak to him like that, Tony. He is my fiancee and he should be treated with respect."

 Tony laughed, a cruel, mocking sound. "Respect? For a delivery boy? Darling, you should be ashamed. This whole charade is pathetic, if I should tell you what happened during my wedding, I swear you will want to dump this pathetic idiot."

 "Tony, what is the meaning of this commotion?" A booming voice sliced through the tension. Mr. Callahan, stern and unyielding, rose from his seat, his gaze sweeping over the scene. His custom-tailored suit spoke of unyielding power.

 "Nothing, Father," Tony said quickly, his posture shifting, a veneer of deference replacing his sneer. "Just a minor… inconvenience. This man is a fraud. He shouldn't be here."

 Diana exhaled slowly. Michael gave Tony a slight, approving nod.

 Mr. Callahan's eyes fixed on Caleb, cold and assessing. "I don't recall seeing your name on the guest list. Who are you and what business do you have here?"

 Diana stepped forward, her voice controlled. "Sir, he is my... companion for the evening. He meant no disrespect. I assure you, we can leave if you want."

 Mr. Callahan's gaze lingered on Diana, then returned to Caleb. "The Reed family's princess has unusual taste."

 Richard his assistant gestured to the door"Fine, You may leave, I don't want him here."

 "Of course," Caleb said, already turning, a wave of familiar shame washing over him.

 "Wait!" Leo William interjected, stepping forward with his mother, Angela, a formidable woman in silk. "Father, Mr. Reed! Is this the 'boyfriend' who's supposed to replace our Leo? A common pauper brought in to mock our families?"

 Angela William chimed in, her voice dripping with disdain. "This is an insult! Our families have generations of alliances. To bring someone like this into our midst, to ruin our engagement meeting after it was already fixed? Unacceptable!"

 Mr. Reed rose, his face grim. He turned to Caleb. "I can't bare to watch this, you know the family so Diana. Since you insist this... young man is your boyfriend or fiancee, I will accept him as my son-in-law, I won't force you to get married anymore." The words hung in the air, a shocking pronouncement.

 Leo William exploded. "Father! Mother! This is absurd! You would choose a nobody over me? Over the Williams' name?"

 "Silence, Leo!" Mr. William roared, his face flushed. "This is for the Reed family to decide! It’s about more than just you!"

 Caleb, though inwardly surprised, maintained a composed expression. "I'm flattered, Mr. Reed, truly. But I assure you, Diana and I… are not exactly in that kind of relationship." He cast a subtle, a

pologetic glance at Diana, who looked equally bewildered