Chapter 4 - Stepping Out Into The Grand Ballroom
“Stay at the hospital with Genevieve, Sarah,” I commanded quietly over the phone. “I’m calling our family security team right now.”
“What are you going to do about the wedding, Thomas?” Sarah asked, her voice trembling.
“There are a hundred and fifty people sitting in that ballroom right now,” I replied, staring at my reflection in the dark glass.
“Including our board members, our investors, and the city press.”
“I’m going to give Evelyn Kensington the grand entrance she deserves.”
I hung up the phone, saved the USB files onto my cloud server, and sent a copy directly to my lead corporate counsel.
I tied Toby’s unlaced shoes, straightened his small bowtie, and called my chief security officer, Marcus, into the hallway.
“Marcus, take Toby to my car and drive him straight to the regional hospital to be with his mother,” I ordered firmly.
“Yes, Mr. Vance,” Marcus replied, taking the boy’s hand with stern, absolute respect.
I straightened my tuxedo jacket, took a deep breath, and walked down the long carpeted hallway toward the grand ballroom doors.
The high-end string quartet was playing a romantic classical waltz, and the air was filled with the scent of expensive white roses.
Evelyn was standing near the double doors, flanked by her wealthy socialite mother and her two personal bridesmaids.
When she saw me walking toward her alone, her eyes flashed with a brief flicker of irritation before she smoothed her features into a smile.
“Thomas, darling!” she whispered, reaching out to fix my silk lapel. “Where is Toby? Everyone is waiting!”
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“Toby is fine,” I said smoothly, offering her my arm with a calm, mechanical perfection. “Shall we give them a show, Evelyn?”
Her smile widened, completely unaware that the ground beneath her designer heels had already crumbled into dust.
