Chapter 4 - the navy suit
Celeste was trembling. Not from fear, she told herself, but from pure, unadulterated rage. Her emerald gown felt hot against her skin. No one had ever humiliated her in her own domain. No one.
"Security!" she finally screamed, her sophisticated facade shattering completely. Her American accent grew shrill. "Get this lunatic out of my building right now! Call the police!"
The guards began to jog forward, their expressions tense. But before they could reach the front row, a voice cut through the chaos.
"Stop."
The voice was not loud, but it carried a weight of absolute legal and financial authority. From the side of the stage, a man stepped into the bright cinematic lights.
He was sixty years old, wearing a perfectly tailored, conservative navy suit. His silver hair was swept back, and his face was entirely devoid of emotion. Under his left arm, he carried a thick, manila legal folder, heavily sealed with red wax and thick tape.
It was Arthur Pendelton, the Foundation’s chief legal counsel. He was the man who handled the billions of dollars flowing through the charity, the man who knew where every single skeleton was buried.
"Arthur!" Celeste snapped, pointing a shaking finger at Vincent. "Have this man arrested immediately! He assaulted me! He destroyed my property!"
Arthur did not look at Celeste. He didn't even acknowledge her outrage. He walked calmly to the center of the stage, directly in front of the microphone stand. The bright lights caught the metallic frame of his glasses.
He set the heavy folder down on the podium. He reached into his pocket and produced a small silver letter opener. With agonizing slowness, he broke the red wax seal and sliced open the tape.
The entire room watched in breathless anticipation. The wealthy donors, the socialites, the politicians—they all sensed that something massive, something entirely out of their control, was happening. The atmosphere had shifted from a society scandal to a corporate execution.
Arthur opened the folder. He looked down at the single, heavily watermarked piece of paper inside. Then, he looked up.
May you like
He didn't look at the crowd. He bypassed Celeste completely. He looked directly at the old man in the charcoal suit leaning quietly on his cane.
Arthur raised his right hand and pointed formally toward Vincent.
