Chapter 10
The grand grandfather clock in the hallway chimed the hour, its deep, resonant tone pulling them back to reality. The gala in the ballroom was reaching its peak. The wealthy guests, the investors, the politicians—they were all waiting for Charles Whitmore to emerge and announce the new partnership with Dominic Vale.
"They are waiting for him," Claire said, looking toward the bright, warm chandelier lighting of the ballroom arches. "When he doesn't show up, they will start asking questions. The stock will panic on Monday if there is no clear narrative."
Dominic stepped up beside her, offering his arm. The gesture was old-fashioned, elegant, and entirely at odds with the violent tattoos covering his skin.
"Then let us go give them a narrative," Dominic said calmly. "We will announce the restructuring. We will announce my capital injection. And we will introduce the new CEO of Whitmore Enterprises."
Claire looked at his offered arm. The pale blue of her evening dress with its short puff sleeves made her look innocent, modest, and delicate. But as she placed her hand on the dark fabric of his expensive fitted black suit, feeling the hard, heavily muscular arm beneath, she knew that innocence was gone forever. She was walking into the lion's den, hand-in-hand with the king of the beasts.
"They will be shocked," Claire noted, lifting her chin, the natural micro-expressions of her face shifting into a look of calm, unshakeable confidence.
May you like
"Let them be shocked," Dominic replied, his voice a low, protective rumble as he escorted her toward the glowing arches. "They have spent years looking at a ghost. Tonight, they will learn to bow to a queen."
Together, the mafia billionaire and the brilliant, newly crowned CEO stepped out of the shadows of the foyer and into the magnificent, glowing light of the luxurious ballroom. The music swelled, the crystal chandeliers sparkled above the polished marble floors, and the crowd turned to look at them. The era of Charles Whitmore and his spoiled daughters was dead. A new, far more dangerous empire was just beginning.
