Chapter 1: The Provision
Chapter 1: The Provision
The silence in the conservatory was deafening. The only sound was the faint dripping of ice water from the overturned bucket onto the marble floor.
Evelyn lowered her smartphone, her expression unreadable. Grant’s face had drained of color. The practiced, philanthropic charm he wore like a tailored suit was entirely gone, replaced by the frantic calculation of a cornered animal.
"Evelyn," Grant started, his voice losing its smooth baritone, cracking slightly. "Whatever you just did, you are overreacting to a simple misunderstanding."
"A misunderstanding," Evelyn repeated. She extended a hand down to Nora. "Come on. Let's get you out of those wet clothes."
Nora took the offered hand. Evelyn’s grip was shockingly strong. As Nora stood, her soaked dress clinging to her legs, she expected Grant to intervene. But he remained frozen, his eyes darting toward the exits.
"The Shawbridge Foundation is done with you, Grant," Evelyn said, her voice carrying effortlessly across the silent room. "The provision I just activated froze the Mercer family trust's matching accounts. Your board seat is vacated as of this exact minute. Security will escort you and Celeste off the premises."
Celeste gasped, her hand flying to her pearl necklace. "You can't do this! We are your biggest donors!"
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"You were," Evelyn corrected. She put a gentle hand on Nora’s shoulder and guided her away from the table. "Don't look back," she murmured to Nora.
As they walked toward the heavy oak doors of the staff corridor, Nora heard the unmistakable sound of Grant Mercer violently sweeping a crystal wine glass off the table.
