Chapter 3 - The Proxy
The transfer involved Merrick Hospitality, Ethan and Emma’s family company.
Thirty luxury hotels.
Eight historic venues.
And fourteen apartment buildings reserved for employees and retirees.
After the ceremony, Victoria would receive Ethan’s emergency voting authority for ninety days.
She called it marital continuity.
Emma called it a takeover.
Ethan turned through the pages.
“I signed an insurance amendment.”
Victoria answered calmly.
“The documents were part of the same closing package.”
“You told me nothing material had changed.”
“You were distracted.”
Emma looked at her brother.
“Distracted by a wedding that cost four million dollars.”
Ethan’s shame appeared.
He had signed between the rehearsal dinner and a donor reception, trusting family attorneys to handle the details.
Victoria stepped closer.
“The company needs decisive leadership.”
Emma pointed toward the scheduled transaction.
“Your father’s investment firm receives the employee apartments.”
Victoria’s expression hardened.
“The housing portfolio is underperforming.”
People lived there.
Housekeepers who worked nights.
Retired cooks.
Maintenance employees injured after decades of service.
Widowed spouses surviving on fixed incomes.
Victoria saw valuable land trapped beneath affordable rent.
Emma saw the people who built the hotels.
Ethan looked at his bride.
“You planned to sell their homes after our vows?”
“They would receive relocation assistance.”
“How much?”
Victoria did not answer.
Emma did.
“Thirty days’ rent.”
The silence became heavier.
Then the venue manager recognized the name of the purchasing company.
“My mother lives in the Harbor Street building.”
Victoria looked at him as if he had interrupted.
“This is a private family matter.”
He met her eyes.
May you like
“No, ma’am.”
“You made my mother’s home part of your wedding.”
