My parents texted me: “Don’t come to our wedding anniversary party. Only high-society guests will be there.”

better than anyone.

Panic was expensive.

“Send me the photograph,” she said.

Three minutes later, her tone changed.

The booklet claimed Northstar had agreed to become the anchor investor in a luxury senior-living development my father had been trying to finance outside Boston.

It described a “minimum two-million-dollar commitment.”

It also included language suggesting I had personally approved the partnership.

I had never seen the project.

I had never signed anything.

Olivia called again.

“They’re asking questions,” she whispered. “Dad told everyone you were coming later to make an announcement.”