Chapter 13 - HUMILIATED IN FRONT OF CHICAGO'S ELITE|
The Meridian Foundation gala was supposed to celebrate a decade of charitable work.
Instead, it became the night Vincent Vale attempted to destroy Sera Walsh in front of four hundred influential guests.
She arrived beside Adrian wearing a simple black gown and her mother's small gold pendant. She had decided that hiding would only give Vincent more control over her life.
Adrian offered his arm.
“You don't have to stay.”
“I know.”
“If anything happens, we leave.”
“Together?”
He looked at her.
“Together.”
Inside, cameras flashed as the guests watched Adrian enter with the woman the newspapers had been calling his secret girlfriend.
Vivian stood near the stage in a silver dress.
She smiled at Sera.
“You look lovely. Though I imagine this must be overwhelming for someone accustomed to serving drinks.”
Sera met her gaze.
“I've found that serving drinks teaches you a great deal about people.”
“Such as?”
“Who says thank you. Who tips generously. And who believes money excuses cruelty.”
Vivian's smile tightened.
Before she could respond, Vincent stepped onto the stage.
He welcomed the guests and spoke about family loyalty, public service, and the importance of preserving a legacy.
Then he invited Sera to join him.
The room grew quiet.
“My granddaughter has recently entered our lives,” Vincent announced. “Unfortunately, she has been surrounded by people who may not have her best interests at heart.”
A screen behind him illuminated.
Photographs appeared of Sera meeting the journalist, entering Adrian's office, and leaving the secure residence.
Then came copies of financial records bearing her signature.
Sera stared at the screen.
She had never signed them.
Vincent continued smoothly.
“These documents suggest that Miss Walsh has accessed confidential accounts and attempted to influence the transfer of family assets.”
Murmurs spread through the ballroom.
A reporter called out, “Did you steal money from the foundation?”
“No,” Sera said.
Vincent raised a hand.
“Of course, we should allow the authorities to investigate. But I believe the public deserves transparency.”
Adrian moved toward the stage.
“Turn off the screen.”
Vincent ignored him.
Sera felt hundreds of eyes on her. She could already imagine the headlines, the comments, and the strangers who would decide she was guilty before hearing her speak.
Then she remembered the sentence on her phone the night she met Adrian.
The most dangerous man in the room was the one who had forgotten why he needed to survive.
She stepped toward the microphone.
“Mr. Vale, may I ask a question?”
Vincent looked surprised.
“Certainly.”
“Why do these documents contain a signature dated three weeks before I started working for your company?”
The room fell silent.
She pointed to the screen.
“And why does the authorization number belong to a subsidiary that was dissolved six years ago?”
Adrian looked at Marcus.
Marcus immediately began speaking into his phone.
Vincent's smile vanished for the first time.
Sera faced the audience.
“I don't know who forged these records. But I know someone wants you to believe that asking questions is the same thing as committing a crime.”
Then she turned to Vincent.
“Perhaps you should answer the questions before accusing anyone else.”
The room erupted in whispers.
Adrian reached her side.
He didn't shield her from the cameras.
May you like
He stood beside her.
And for the first time in years, Vincent Vale realized that his granddaughter might be more dangerous than the people he had spent his life controlling.
