Chapter 4 - The Gala of Reckoning
The ballroom of the Drake Hotel was filled with the elite of Chicago.
Crystal chandeliers hung from the ceiling,
dripping with light,
while waiters in white gloves glided through the crowd with trays of champagne.
It was the official celebration of the merger,
a night that was supposed to be the pinnacle of Daniel’s career.
My father stood at the center of the room,
looking regal in his tuxedo,
though his eyes were hard when they landed on Daniel.
Daniel was in his element,
shaking hands and accepting congratulations,
acting like the architect of the deal.
He didn't notice that Vanessa Reed was also in the room,
standing near the bar in a gold dress that was far too tight for the occasion.
I had invited her personally,
through an anonymous email from "The Merger Committee."
I wanted her to have a front-row seat.
"Ladies and gentlemen,"
my father announced,
tapping a microphone,
"If I could have your attention."
The room went silent,
the only sound the faint hum of the air conditioning.
"Tonight,
we celebrate a new chapter for Carter Hospitality."
"And tonight,"
"we recognize the contributions of those who brought us here."
He looked at Daniel,
who straightened his tie and prepared to step onto the stage.
"But before we sign the final papers,"
my father continued,
"my daughter has a small presentation."
A large screen lowered behind the stage.
Daniel frowned,
a flicker of confusion crossing his face.
I stepped up to the microphone,
my red dress shimmering under the spotlights.
"Daniel,"
I said,
my voice echoing through the room,
"I know how much you love travel."
"And I know how much you love Singapore."
I pressed a button on the remote in my hand.
The screen flickered to life.
It wasn't a corporate graph or a financial forecast.
It was the photo I had taken at the airport.
Daniel and Vanessa,
locked in a kiss.
A collective gasp went through the room.
Daniel’s face went from tan to a sickly,
ashen gray.
I pressed the button again.
The hidden receipts from Tiffany's.
The hotel key cards with "Vanessa" written on them.
The "consulting" payments from VR Marketing.
"You didn't just betray me,
Daniel,"
I said,
my voice cold and unwavering,
"You betrayed this company."
"You stole from the people in this room to fund your double life."
Vanessa tried to slip toward the exit,
but two of our security guards were already blocking the doors.
Daniel tried to speak,
but no sound came out of his open mouth.
He looked like a fish gasping for air.
"The merger was never going to be signed by you,"
I said,
tossing a folder onto the podium.
"These are the papers you’re signing tonight."
"A full confession of corporate embezzlement,"
"a total forfeiture of your marital assets,"
"and a one-way ticket out of my life."
My father stepped forward,
placing a heavy hand on Daniel’s shoulder.
"The police are waiting in the lobby,
Daniel."
"You have five minutes to sign,"
"or we can let the District Attorney handle the rest."
Lydia appeared at my side,
handing Daniel a pen.
"Sign it,
Daniel,"
she whispered,
"It’s the only deal you have left."
He looked at the room,
at the people who had been his peers,
and saw nothing but disgust.
His hand shook as he took the pen.
He signed his name,
the crooked signature of a man who had lost everything.
I took the papers and smiled,
a real,
savage smile.
"Singapore is brutal this time of year,
Daniel,"
May you like
I said,
"But I hear the county jail is worse."
