Chapter 17 - Groundbreaking
Spring returned to Chicago with a fierce, beautiful warmth, melting the last remnants of winter ice along the riverwalk.
The official groundbreaking ceremony for the Bennett-Vance Riverfront Development Project drew hundreds of people—city council members, prominent architects, local business owners, and international media outlets. A sprawling stage was set up directly in front of the massive, fully restored historic brick complex that Ethan and I had first looked at together eleven years earlier.
Only this time, it wasn't a pigeon-infested ruin. It was a multi-million-dollar architectural masterpiece featuring luxury residential spaces, tech incubators, public parks, and a vibrant artisanal district.
The mayor of Chicago stepped up to the podium, smiling warmly as he motioned for me to join him.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” the mayor announced into the microphone, his voice echoing across the plaza. “Today marks a historic milestone for our city. And none of this would have been possible without the visionary leadership, brilliant financial strategy, and unwavering dedication of the mastermind behind Bennett-Vance Consolidated: Ms. Claire Bennett.”
Thunderous applause erupted from the crowd. Flashbulbs strobed like lightning, capturing the moment from a hundred different angles.
I stepped up to the microphone, wearing a sharp ivory blazer and dark tailored trousers. I looked out over the sea of faces—investors who once doubted me, partners who now respected me, and a city whose very skyline bore the imprint of my labor.
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“For a long time,” I began, my voice clear, steady, and resonant, “people believed that building an empire required sacrifice, silence, and endurance of the unsustainable. But true growth doesn't come from carrying someone else’s dead weight. It comes from having the courage to walk away from a broken foundation, close the unauthorized accounts, and build something entirely your own.”
The applause that followed was deafening. Julian Vance stood near the front row, clapping proudly, while Maya whistled loudly from the side of the stage.
