During Brother's Engagement Party, I Got The Service Entrance—Then His Boss Bowed

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During Brother's Engagement Party, I Got The Service Entrance—Then His Boss Bowed
‪@echoofwrath-w2y‬


I stared at my sister Maya's text message while standing in front of the Crystal Pavilion's main entrance. The venue sparkled with string lights and imported flowers—all paid for by my brother Derek's fiancée's family, according to Mom's endless reminders.
"Service entrance is around the side," the text continued. "We don't want guests asking who you are. Dress code is formal but you know... within reason for your budget."
Within reason for my budget. I looked down at my simple black suit—Tom Ford, actually, but they wouldn't recognize quality if it came with a price tag attached. They never had.
I walked around to the service entrance as instructed. A catering staff member looked confused when I entered through the kitchen.
"Guest," I explained simply. "Family request."
He shrugged and pointed toward the ballroom. I could hear the party already in full swing—laughter, clinking glasses, the kind of networking chatter that my family loved. Derek had landed a senior marketing position at Titanix Systems six months ago, and they'd been insufferable about it ever since.
"My son works for Marcus Chen," Mom told everyone. "You know, THE Marcus Chen. The billionaire tech founder. Derek's basically running the whole marketing division."
Derek was a mid-level marketing manager. I knew because I'd reviewed his hire paperwork myself.
I slipped into the ballroom through the side door, staying near the back. The venue was impressive—Maya had chosen well, probably spending her future in-laws' money freely. Ice sculptures, champagne fountains, a live orchestra. Center stage stood Derek and his fiancée Portia, both glowing with self-importance.
"There she is," Maya hissed, suddenly appearing at my elbow. "Could you not stand so close to the main area? Victoria Chen is here—Marcus Chen's daughter. We can't have you... you know."
"Hovering around my brother's engagement party?" I suggested.
"Looking like you're trying too hard," Maya corrected. "Mom spent months getting Derek's bosses to attend. This is important networking. Just... stay back here, okay? There's food in the kitchen."
She disappeared back into the crowd before I could respond. I watched her immediately attach herself to a group of well-dressed executives, laughing too loudly at someone's joke.
My phone buzzed. Victoria Chen: "Running 5 minutes late. Dad's already inside—he went ahead. Can't wait to see the look on their faces! 😈"
I smiled and texted back: "Take your time. I'm enjoying the show."
"Ladies and gentlemen!" Derek's voice boomed through the microphone. He'd always loved being the center of attention. "Thank you all for coming to celebrate with Portia and me. This venue, this party—it represents everything we've worked for. Success, connections, the right kind of people."
I saw Mom and Dad beaming in the front row, Dad's chest puffed out like a peacock.
"I especially want to thank my colleagues from Titanix Systems for being here," Derek continued. "Working for Marcus Chen has been the opportunity of a lifetime. Mr. Chen, if you're here, thank you for taking a chance on me."
From my position in the back, I could see a small commotion near the main entrance. Marcus Chen had arrived—silver-haired, distinguished, wearing a casual elegance that came from decades of not having to impress anyone. The crowd parted instinctively.
Derek's eyes went wide. "Mr. Chen! You came! I—we're so honored—"
"Wouldn't miss it," Marcus said smoothly, his eyes scanning the room. "Though I'm looking for someone. My business partner was supposed to meet me here."
The room fell silent. Marcus Chen's business partner was legendary in tech circles—the silent genius behind Titanix's recent AI breakthrough that had sent their stock soaring forty percent in three months.
"Your business partner is here?" Mom squeaked, already pushing forward. "At my son's party?"
"Should be," Marcus confirmed, still scanning. Then his eyes found me in the back corner, and his face broke into a genuine smile. "There you are! I was beginning to think you were hiding from me."
Every head in the room swiveled toward me.



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