Chapter 19 - The Showdown at the Gala
The Grand Ballroom of the Columbus Athletic Club was filled with the city's political and financial elite.
Crystal chandeliers hung from gilded ceilings, illuminating the annual Metropolitan Preservation Foundation banquet.
Julian Thorne stood near the center stage, a glass of vintage champagne in hand, laughing with city council members.
He looked untouchable, arrogant, surrounded by the power brokers he had bought for two decades.
Then the heavy double doors at the entrance swung open.
The room quieted as heads turned.
I walked into the ballroom wearing a tailored emerald gown, Evelyn Vance’s sapphire necklace resting against my collarbone.
Beside me walked Marcus Kane and two federal investigators from the Department of Justice.
Julian’s smile froze on his face the moment he saw me.
"Ms. Vance," Julian said smoothly as I approached his circle, recovering his mask of composure.
"I didn't realize you were on the guest list tonight."
"I don't need an invitation to my family’s foundation, Mr. Thorne," I replied, my voice echoing across the silent hall.
"I believe you’re familiar with Special Agent Miller?" Marcus said, gesturing to the man on his left.
Julian’s jaw tightened. "Whatever nonsense Austin Vance has fed you—"
"Austin didn't say a word," I interrupted, stepping directly into his personal space.
"Abigail gave us the encrypted server keys, and your private contractors are currently singing in federal holding."
Whispers broke out among the surrounding guests like a brushfire.
Agent Miller stepped forward, pulling a signed warrant from his jacket.
"Julian Thorne, you are under arrest for federal wire fraud, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy to commit vehicular manslaughter."
The champagne glass slipped from Thorne’s fingers, shattering across the polished marble floor.
Two agents stepped forward, clicking handcuffs around his wrists right in front of the city's elite.
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As they dragged him past me, Thorne hissed through his teeth:
"You think this saves your grandmother’s legacy, girl? You don't know half of what Evelyn buried."
