Chapter 2 - The Billionaire's Secret Collateral"Security," I commanded, turning my back on Preston while gently cradling Sophie in my arms. "Lock the doors. Nobody leaves this ballroom until the police arrive."
"You can't do that!" Margaret hissed, her diamond-encrusted rings clicking together as she clutched her pearls. "Do you know who we are? We are the Thorntons! Preston is the sole heir to Thornton Global Logistics! You're nothing—just a low-level catering contractor who snuck in here!"
"A contractor?" A cold, sarcastic smile touched my lips. "Margaret, darling, you might want to check who actually owns the mortgage on this entire hotel, and furthermore, who holds fifty-one percent of the preferred shares in Thornton Global."
The room erupted into whispers. Preston stared at me, his eyes wide with sudden, sickening realization. "No... that's impossible. The mysterious anonymous majority stakeholder... the one who's been quietly buying up our debt..."
"Surprise," I said softly.
I pulled out my phone, unlocked it, and dialed a number on speakerphone. It rang once before a crisp, professional voice answered: “At your service, Director Vance. All legal assets are frozen as requested.”
"Good," I replied clearly for everyone to hear. "Initiate Clause Nine. Audit every single financial ledger of Thornton Global Logistics, starting from the past ten years. And have the corporate fraud squad ready for immediate deployment."
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“Right away, Madam Chairwoman.”
The phone call ended with a sharp click. The silence that followed was absolute. Margaret staggered backward, her high heels clicking frantically against the marble floor until she collided with the wedding cake table, sending a tier of fondant tumbling to the ground with a soft, devastating thud.
