Chapter 10: The High Society Guillotine
Two months later, the ashes of Mercer Development had been swept away, replaced by the titanium foundation of Vance Coastal Dynamics.
It was the night of the annual Seattle Global Trade Gala, the most exclusive event of the season. This time, Evelyn wasn't attending as a dutiful wife, standing quietly in the shadows. She was the guest of honor.
Evelyn wore a breathtaking, custom emerald-green silk gown with a daring slit, a diamond choker resting against her collarbones. Julian stood beside her, a dark god in a bespoke black tuxedo, radiating a fierce protectiveness that naturally parted the crowd wherever they walked.
They were the undisputed king and queen of the city.
As they mingled with senators and billionaires, a minor disturbance broke out near the entrance. Grant’s mother, Beatrice Mercer, had somehow bypassed security. She was wearing an outdated gown, her face twisted in bitter, venomous rage. She spotted Evelyn and marched directly toward her.
"You!" Beatrice shrieked, drawing the attention of the surrounding elite. "You destroyed my son! He is sitting in a federal holding cell waiting for trial because of your lies!"
The room went dead silent.
Julian’s eyes turned pitch black. He stepped forward to physically remove the woman, but Evelyn placed a calm, restraining hand on his chest.
"Your son is in a cell, Beatrice, because he is a fraud," Evelyn said smoothly, her voice projecting clearly through the quiet ballroom. "He stole from the government, and he stole from me. But I suppose accountability was never a trait you taught him."
Beatrice turned red, trembling with rage. "You arrogant little—"
"Careful, Beatrice," Evelyn cut her off, her voice dropping to a freezing, lethal pitch. "Before you say another word, you should know that Vance Coastal Dynamics purchased the mortgage to your estate last week. You missed two payments while trying to fund Grant’s pathetic legal defense."
Beatrice froze. The champagne flute shook in her hand.
"If you do not leave this gala this exact second," Evelyn smiled, stepping forward so only Beatrice and the terrified elite around them could hear, "I will foreclose on your house tomorrow morning, and I will personally watch the sheriff throw your belongings onto the curb. Do you understand me?"
May you like
Beatrice looked at Evelyn, then at the towering, terrifying presence of Julian, and finally realized she was staring into the jaws of a leviathan. She dropped her glass, turned on her heel, and practically ran toward the exit, sobbing in humiliation.
Evelyn turned back to the stunned ballroom. Julian wrapped his arm around her waist, pulling her flush against him in front of the entire world, and kissed her. It was a deep, consuming claim that tasted of victory.
