Chapter 18 - The Grand Imperial Ambush
The Grand Imperial Ballroom was filled with three hundred of the nation’s wealthiest investors, foreign ambassadors, and shipping tycoons.
At the center of the raised dais sat Christian Vance.
He was a tall, elegant man with silver-streaked hair, wearing a navy bespoke suit that cost more than a family home.
Beside him sat Lady Eleanor Montgomery, draped in a white mink stole, her face painted into a triumphant smirk.
Christian held the floor, a microphone clipped to his lapel, his projection screens showing the Vance offshore debt structure.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Christian announced, his deep voice commanding absolute silence.
"Due to the failure of the current domestic administration to maintain security at Pier 44 this morning..."
"And pursuant to the irrevocable codicil signed by my father, Julian Vance..."
"The sovereign voting authority of Vance Maritime has reverted to me as of midnight."
"Serafina Vance no longer holds the legal authority to represent the international shipping routes."
Murmurs swept through the assembly like a wave across the ocean.
Bankers adjusted their glasses; foreign delegates consulted their legal advisors.
"Therefore," Christian continued, raising a glass of sparkling water, "I move that the board immediately vote to dissolve—"
The massive mahogany doors at the back of the ballroom slammed open with the force of a thunderclap.
Every head in the room snapped around.
Serafina Vance walked into the room.
She was not in mourning, and she was not disheveled.
She wore an emerald green gown tailored with regal precision, adorned with the ancestral Vance diamond collar that had belonged to the founding matriarch.
Behind her walked two uniformed federal marshals and Marcus.
Between the marshals walked Christian’s lead contractor, his arm in a sling, his head hung low in defeat.
The room held its collective breath.
Serafina’s heels clicked against the polished parquet floor with the rhythm of an executioner’s drum.
"You are sitting in my chair, Christian," Serafina said, her voice carrying effortlessly across the vast expanse of the hall.
Christian’s smile flickered, but he maintained his arrogant composure.
"The summit was called for nine o’clock, sister."
"You are late."
"And according to our father’s will, you have no standing here."
"Our father was a great man who made one unforgivable mistake," Serafina said, stepping onto the stage without breaking stride.
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"He assumed his brother’s greed would end with his death."
"And he assumed his illegitimate son had a shred of honor."
