Chapter 7 - The Master's Gambit
Inside the private office of the Aegis, Marcus Blackwood sat behind a heavy glass desk, reviewing the financial fallout on three high-definition monitors.
Red numbers flashed across the screens as Vance Capital’s assets were liquidated and absorbed by market liquidity pools. By morning, Marcus’s firm would acquire the Sovereign Bay Marina at a seventy-percent discount.
Arthur Pendelton entered the office, holding a glass of scotch. He set it down on Marcus’s desk.
"Jonathan Vance’s legal defense team has already folded," Arthur reported. "The digital trace from Victoria’s phone gave federal prosecutors everything they needed. The Vance legacy is finished."
Marcus didn't look up from his screens. "And the girl?"
"She is currently sitting on a park bench outside the marina gate," Arthur said quietly. "Her credit cards are frozen. Her friends abandoned her the moment the security team revoked their passes. She has no ride home."
Marcus stopped typing. He looked across the desk at Arthur, his dark eyes hollow and unreadable.
"Do you pity her, Arthur?"
"No," Arthur replied honestly. "She was arrogant and cruel to a child. But I wonder about the boy, Marcus. Julian didn't smile when her world collapsed. He didn't celebrate. He watched her ruin with the same expression he uses when he watches rain fall on the ocean."
Marcus stood up, walking toward the large glass window of his office.
"Smile?" Marcus whispered softly, looking out at the dark harbor. "Joy is for people who believe the world is safe. Julian knows the truth now. He knows that a satin dress, a designer bag, and a loud voice are nothing against the real power of the world."
"And what is the real power, Marcus?" Arthur asked softly.
May you like
Marcus turned his head, looking back into the dim room.
"Silence," Marcus said. "The ability to hold the key while everyone else is screaming at the door."
