Chapter 6 - The Liquidation of an Empire
The words struck the room like a physical shockwave. Suddenly, phones across the entire ballroom began ringing simultaneously—bankers, board members, hedge fund managers, and defense attorneys all calling the gathered guests to report a systemic contagion. The Vance Group’s stock was crashing through its floor price, halted by automatic circuit breakers on the exchange.
Eleanor’s face drained of every drop of color as she watched her husband’s tablet slip from his trembling fingers, the glass screen shattering against the hard marble floor. She reached out toward Arthur, her diamond-encrusted hands quivering, but he ignored her, staring at Victoria as if looking at an executioner. The slap that was meant to crush a young rival had instead sprung a trap door beneath the entire Vance bloodline.
Victoria stood calmly at the center of the mounting hysteria, completely indifferent to the rising noise of weeping socialites and shouting executives. She reached up with a graceful hand, adjusted her silver tiara until it sat perfectly upon her head once more, and smoothed the front of her gown.
