CHAPTER 3
The crystal chandeliers of the grand dining hall cast a warm, golden glow over the opulent table setting Chloe had spent weeks organizing to impress the company's board of directors.
Dressed in an expensive designer silk dress, Chloe floated around the room, boasting to the early-arriving guests about her grand plans to take over the firm's charitable foundation.
Julian stood near the wet bar in a tailored tuxedo, pouring high-end scotch for senior executives while loudly taking credit for a major regional logistics contract his father had negotiated.
They were completely intoxicated by their perceived power, entirely unaware that the foundation beneath their feet had already turned to dust.
At precisely seven o me, the heavy double doors of the dining hall swung open, and Robert walked into the room accompanied by four stern-faced corporate bailiffs and two forensic accountants.
The lively conversation in the room instantly died down as guests noticed the grim, uncompromising expressions on the faces of the men walking behind the family patriarch.
"Dad! What is all this?" Julian laughed nervously, setting his scotch glass down on the marble bar. "You're late for the toast, and why did you bring the legal team to a dinner party?"
Chloe forced a bright, charming smile, stepping forward with an outstretched hand. "Robert, darling, we were just telling the board about our upcoming honeymoon trip to the Riviera!"
Robert didn't smile, nor did he offer a hand in greeting.
May you like
He walked past Chloe as if she were made of thin air, stopping at the head of the long mahogany dining table, directly in front of the primary presentation screen.
"This gathering isn't a celebration of your marriage," Robert announced, his voice echoing clearly off the high, vaulted ceilings. "This is an emergency board meeting to address a severe liability within this company."
