Chapter 6 - the final decree
Vanessa let out a choked, desperate sound, the first tear cutting a clean path through her expensive makeup. She tried to open her mouth, tried to form words, tried to beg for forgiveness, but her vocal cords refused to cooperate. She knew the empire. She knew Adrian Blackwood. Mercy was a word that did not exist in his vocabulary.
Adrian didn't give her a second chance to speak. He dropped the metal badge onto her plate with a sharp, metallic clatter.
Without breaking eye contact, Adrian raised his hand and gave a single, subtle gesture toward the main doors of the ballroom.
Instantly, four massive, suit-clad security operatives stepped out from the shadows of the entrance, marching with military precision straight toward VIP Table One. They didn't hesitate. They didn't look at the trembling executives. They reached Vanessa’s chair, grabbed her by the arms with firm, unyielding strength, and hauled her to her feet.
Vanessa didn't scream. She was too far gone for theatrics. Her designer heels scraped helplessly against the polished marble floor as the guards dragged her backward, away from the glittering tables, away from the high-society elites who were now desperately pretending she didn't exist.
The guards pulled her straight down the center aisle, heading directly toward the heavy double doors at the back of the ballroom—the service corridor leading to the kitchens and the loading docks.
The heavy doors swung open, swallowing her into the dark, industrial expanse of the back hallways, and then clicked shut behind her.
The ballroom remained dead silent.
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Adrian Blackwood turned slowly, facing the hundreds of terrified executives, board members, and directors. The bright cinematic lights caught the sharp angles of his face as a slow, calculating expression settled into his eyes.
He had tested his empire’s leadership, and he had found rot at the top. But Vanessa Cole was just a symptom. The real question was how deep the corruption went among the rest of the glittering faces staring back at him in terror.
