Chapter 12 - The Ash on the Marble
Within thirty minutes, the grand ballroom of the St. Regis was completely empty.
The guests had been escorted out by hotel staff; the press was gathered outside on the sidewalk, broadcasting live updates to national news networks; and the catering staff was quietly clearing away the untouched glasses of expensive champagne and the untouched wedding cake.
The warm, golden light of the chandeliers still shone down on the floor, illuminating the shattered ice swan, the abandoned diamond tiara, and the broken pieces of Julian’s smartphone.
James, Evelyn, and Lily sat together on a soft plush velvet bench near the grand windows overlooking the city park.
A hotel physician had been brought in to examine Lily’s cheek. He had applied a soft, cooling ice pack wrapped in a white cloth, which Lily held against her face while resting her head on Evelyn's lap.
"The swelling will go down in a couple of days," the doctor said softly to Evelyn, placing a small box of children's pain relief medication on the table. "No permanent bone damage, thank God. But she needs rest and quiet."
"Thank you, Doctor," Evelyn said softly.
When the doctor left, James walked over, handing Evelyn a cup of hot chamomile tea.
"The federal court granted an emergency protective order half an hour ago," James said, sitting beside them. "You have full temporary custody of Lily, effective immediately. Tomorrow morning, the board of directors is convening an emergency meeting to reinstate you as primary trustee of Vance Global."
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Evelyn looked at her brother-in-law, tears glistening in her eyes. "I don't care about the company, James. I just want my daughter."
"I know," James smiled gently, reaching out to stroke Lily’s hair. "But the company pays for her future. And Julian will never touch a single cent of it again."
