Chapter 7 - The Grand Entrance and the Public ExecutionEmily glided across the polished marble floor of the ballroom, her head held high, every step a deliberate declaration of war. The whispers of the elite buzzed around them like angry hornets.
“Isn’t that Emily Vance? I thought she went abroad...” “Good lord, is that Matthew Carter? What is he doing with her?” “Look at Diane’s face; she looks like she’s seen a ghost.”
Matthew guided her smoothly toward the foot of the stage, ignoring the flock of frantic public relations managers trying to block their path. Arthur Sterling followed closely behind them, carrying a thick leather briefcase secured to his wrist with a titanium shackle.
Diane forced a rigid, ghastly smile onto her face, clutching the microphone so hard her knuckles turned translucent white. She scurried down the stage steps, her heels clicking frantically against the marble.
“Emily, darling!” Diane gushed, her voice dripping with venomous maternal affection as she tried to wrap her arms around Emily’s shoulders. “Where on earth have you been? We were beside ourselves with worry! The police—we thought you were abducted!”
Emily didn't flinch. She simply raised her hand, stopping Diane inches away with a look so freezing it could have frozen molten steel.
“Save the motherly act, Diane,” Emily said, her voice carrying clearly through the room’s acoustic sound system, amplified by the wireless lapel mic Matthew had discreetly pinned to her gown. “The police aren't looking for an abduction victim. They’re looking for a felon.”
The ballroom fell into an absolute, suffocating dead silence. You could hear the ice melting in a champagne glass fifty feet away.
Diane’s smile shattered completely. “Emily, have you lost your mind? What kind of hysterical lies are you—es—spewing in front of our guests?”
“Not lies, Diane. Audit results,” Matthew Carter stepped forward, his deep, commanding voice echoing off the gilded walls with terrifying authority. He reached into his breast pocket and tossed a heavy manila folder directly onto the stage at Diane’s feet. “Allow me to introduce myself. Matthew Carter. And as of 4:00 PM this afternoon, Carter Enterprises has acquired controlling interest in Vance Global Holdings through a hostile debt restructuring.”
Diane stumbled backward, tripping over the hem of her Versace gown and catching herself against the edge of the stage. “That’s... that’s illegal! You can't do that! The board—the board voted for the Ambrose merger!”
May you like
“The board didn't vote on anything because your board members were either bribed or blackmailed,” Arthur Sterling stepped up, opening his titanium briefcase and pulling out official federal indictments. “Federal wire fraud, forgery of trust documents, embezzlement of corporate pension funds, and conspiracy to commit human trafficking. Would you like me to read the charges aloud, Mrs. Vance?”
Mr. Ambrose, realizing the ship was sinking faster than lead, turned on his heel and sprinted frantically toward the side exit. But before he could take three steps, two of Matthew’s tactical security guards materialized from the shadows, grabbing him by the shoulders and slamming him face-first against the nearest marble pillar with a sickening thud.
Related Stories
