One Year to Live: I Traded My Toxic Family for Global Fame novel · Chapter 20 of 24
Chapter 20: The Launch
The ballroom at the Stegman hotel was full by eight.
Tegan counted three studio executives, two streaming buyers, a banker and a row of photographers at the rope.
A banner over the stage said OPEN DOOR PICTURES, A STEGMAN FAMILY COMPANY.
She stood at the back with her arm through Cal's, in a black dress that cost less than the flowers.
"It's a good banner," Cal murmured. "Very big."
"It's a lie in eight-foot letters."
"Do you want me to take it down?"
"No. I want Luther to stand under it."
On the stage, Luther Stegman tapped the microphone.
He was in dark navy, with a flute of champagne and the easy smile of a man about to close a deal.
"Thank you all for coming," he said. "A year ago my family found our sister after twenty-two years. Tonight she launches her own company, and we couldn't be prouder."
The room applauded.
"Open Door Pictures is, as of this evening, a partner of Stegman Entertainment. Tegan, come up and say a few words."
Every head turned.
Tegan walked down the aisle with her hand in Cal's, and the crowd opened for her.
She climbed the steps and took the microphone from her brother's hand.
"Thank you, Luther," she said. "Before I say anything, I'd like to correct your banner."
"Tegan," he said quietly. "Not now."
"Open Door is not a partner of Stegman Entertainment. It's a company I own, with my own money, in my own name." She smiled at the room. "My brother has put the word family on the banner because it's useful."
A murmur ran through the ballroom.
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