Chapter 2 - Naked in the Snow
The atmosphere in the ballroom shattered into absolute chaos. Guests began whispering frantically, pulling out their phones to check the financial news. Within seconds, Bloomberg and Forbes broke the breaking alert: Hale Enterprises CEO Ousted in Sudden Board Coup; Stock Plunges 15% in After-Hours Trading.
"This is impossible!" Diane shrieked, charging toward me with her manicured fingernails raised like talons. "You lying, scheming witch! My son built that company from scratch! You never worked a day in your life!"
Before she could reach me, two six-foot-four tactical guards stepped into her path, grabbing her by her elbows and restraining her effortlessly.
"Unfist your hands, Mrs. Hale," Nathan warned sternly. "Otherwise, we will press felony assault charges right here in front of Manhattan’s press corp."
Everett grabbed Nathan’s lapel frantically. "Nathan, listen to me! I don't know what kind of game Claire is playing or how much she paid you, but I have a black American Express card! I have assets! I own a forty-million-dollar estate in Westchester!"
"You used to live there, Mr. Hale," Nathan replied with ice-cold professionalism. "The Westchester estate is registered under the Phoenix Family Trust, of which Claire is the sole living beneficiary. Your name was merely listed as an authorized occupant. That authorization was revoked ten minutes ago."
Vanessa’s eyes widened in sheer panic. She dropped her theatrical frail act instantly, clutching Everett’s arm. "Everett! What is he talking about?! What about the villa in Saint-Tropez? What about the Ferrari you bought me last week?!"
"The Ferrari was purchased using corporate funds," I interjected smoothly, taking a glass of sparkling water from a waiter's tray and taking a calm sip. "A federal transport team is impounding it from your apartment parking garage as we speak, Vanessa. Along with the Hermès bags and the diamond bracelets Everett billed to company accounts."
Vanessa gasped, looking at Everett like he was a stranger. "Everett! Tell her she’s lying! Tell me you're still a billionaire!"
Everett couldn't speak. Sweat beaded on his forehead, ruining his slicked-back hair. He reached into his pocket, pulled out his wallet, and tossed three metal credit cards to the floor, pleading with the gala’s chief manager. "Charge my room! Pay my bill!"
The hotel manager stepped forward, picked up the cards, ran them through a portable reader, and handed them back with a cold, professional sneer. "Declined, Mr. Hale. In fact, our system indicates your reservation for tonight's ballroom has been canceled due to non-payment. The current owner of the building—Madame Claire—has requested that you vacate the premises immediately."
The crowd erupted into hushed giggles and merciless mocks. The very elite who had toasted to Everett thirty minutes ago were now taking videos on their smartphones, recording his ultimate disgrace.
"Get out," I commanded softly, my voice cutting through the noise like a razor blade.
"Claire, please! Let’s talk about this privately!" Everett dropped his ego, stepping toward me with desperate eyes. "We're married! Ten years! You can't do this to your husband!"
"My husband threw his wedding ring at my feet thirty minutes ago," I said, pointing down to the shiny platinum band lying near my designer shoes. "Pick it up, Everett. You might need to pawn it for breakfast tomorrow."
Guards grabbed Everett and Diane by their shoulders, hauling them toward the side exits. Vanessa tried to slip away quietly through the crowd, but two female officers blocked her path.
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"Miss Vanessa Vance?" one officer announced loudly. "You are being detained for questioning regarding corporate fraud and possession of misappropriated assets."
As the heavy doors slammed shut behind them, throwing them out into the freezing Manhattan night air, the ballroom turned back to me. Every executive in the room bowed their heads in silent terror.
