Chapter 9 - The Room
The grand ballroom where they stood did not belong to Daniel’s family.
That was the next humiliation.
According to the property schedule, the hall was held under a long-term corporate lease connected to the employee reserve. It had been financed decades ago through a service-workers’ development cooperative—one of the earliest assets Elena Torres flagged when she realized labor money had built more than bonus promises.
Daniel read the page twice.
“This venue was paid for with reserve funds?”
Maya nodded. “And so were three flagship properties.”
Guests looked around as if the crystal chandeliers had just changed owners above their heads.
Claire whispered, “That can’t be right.”
Maya met her eyes. “You tried to steal from workers in a building workers paid for. That’s why it feels poetic.”
For the first time that night, a few guests almost smiled.
Not because the situation was funny.
Because justice had finally entered the room wearing an apron.
Daniel set the documents down on a table beside the untouched wedding cake.
“If this is true, then the trust owns part of the company and the property beneath it.”
Maya said nothing.
He looked up. “How much?”
She inhaled slowly.
“Enough to break the merger.”
The answer terrified Claire more than the drugged drink ever could.
She took one step toward Daniel. “Listen to me. If you let her trigger this in public, every board member will turn on you. The family will blame you. The press will destroy you.”
Daniel stared at her for a long moment.
Then he asked the question that finally mattered.
“Did you ever love me more than you wanted my signature?”
May you like
Claire opened her mouth.
And nothing came out.
