During Brother's Engagement, They Said 'Kitchen Help Only'—His Future CEO Just Walked In

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During Brother's Engagement, They Said 'Kitchen Help Only'—His Future CEO Just Walked In
‪‪@echoofwrath-w2y‬

The invitation to my brother Derek's engagement party arrived on expensive cardstock. Celebration at the Harbor Club, two hundred guests, black tie. A note fell out in Mom's handwriting: "Please arrive through the service entrance. Kitchen staff will direct you."
I stared at it, sitting in my corner office at Chen Industries. Outside my window, the Seattle skyline glittered. Inside, merger documents covered my desk—the acquisition that would make Chen Industries the largest tech conglomerate in the Pacific Northwest.
My phone rang. Derek.
"Iris, about Saturday. Mom and Vanessa think it's best if you help in the kitchen during the engagement party. You know, stay behind the scenes. Nicole's family is very successful, very connected. We don't want any awkwardness."
I was reviewing financial projections for the merger. "Awkwardness?"
"Come on, you know what I mean. You work at some tech startup doing admin stuff. Nicole's father owns half the commercial real estate downtown. Her brother runs a venture capital firm. These people are serious players. We just think it's better if you keep a low profile."
My tech startup. Chen Industries, where I served as Chief Strategy Officer. The position I'd held for three years, overseeing expansion into five new markets and managing a team of forty analysts.
"I work in tech strategy, Derek. Not admin."
"Whatever. Same thing basically. Look, this party is important for my career. Nicole's father is introducing me to his business partners. I'm up for VP at Harrington Financial. I can't have anything going wrong."
"And me being visible is something going wrong?"
"Iris, don't be dramatic. Just help in the kitchen for a few hours. You're good at that supportive, behind-the-scenes stuff. Let me and Vanessa handle the social aspects. That's what we're good at."
He hung up before I could respond.
That was four days ago. Since then, I'd watched family group chat excitement build. Vanessa posted her designer gown. Mom shared photos of the venue decorations. Derek posted about "celebrating with the people who matter most."
I wasn't tagged. Wasn't mentioned. Just expected to show up through the service entrance and arrange canapés.
My assistant Marcus knocked. "Iris, Mr. Chen wants to see you. Says it's about Saturday."
Richard Chen, CEO of Chen Industries, was my mentor and the closest thing to family I'd found in Seattle. He'd recruited me from grad school, promoted me twice, trusted me with the company's most critical initiatives.
"Iris, I've been reviewing the Harrington merger timeline," he said when I entered his office. "The final signing is scheduled for next month, but Douglas Harrington wants to meet you this weekend. Says he won't finalize until he's personally confirmed you're leading the integration team."
Douglas Harrington. Nicole's father. Derek's future father-in-law.
"He's hosting an engagement party for his daughter Saturday evening," I said carefully. "At the Harbor Club."
Richard's eyebrows rose. "His daughter is marrying someone you know?"
"My brother Derek."


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