Chapter 10 - Before Sunrise

By 5:30 a.m., the story had escaped the resort.

A guest had recorded Elena's removal.

The video had been uploaded.

Then another appeared showing Vanessa wearing the emerald pendant.

Social media accounts began asking why the wife of Aurelia's CEO had been removed from an Aurelia property.

Business reporters started calling.

Julian's communications director attempted to issue a statement.

Her access was denied.

At 5:44, Aurelia International published an official notice.

JULIAN MERCER SUSPENDED PENDING GOVERNANCE REVIEW.

No explanation was provided.

That made the speculation worse.

At 5:55, Elena arrived back at the resort.

This time, every employee in the lobby stood straighter.

Daniel Ross met her near the entrance.

“Ms. Vale.”

She noticed the change immediately.

Not Mrs. Mercer.

Ms. Vale.

“Has Claire been found?”

“No.”

“Police?”

“They're reviewing traffic cameras.”

Elena nodded.

She looked around the lobby.

Hours earlier, nobody had met her eyes.

Now everyone was watching.

She did not enjoy it.

She hated that fear created loyalty faster than kindness had.

A young receptionist approached.

“Ms. Vale?”

“Yes?”

“I am sorry.”

Elena looked at her.

“For what?”

“For tonight.”

The woman swallowed.

“I wanted to say something when security came for you.”

“But you didn't.”

“No.”

Elena waited.

“I was afraid I'd lose my job.”

Elena's expression softened.

“You weren't responsible for Julian's decision.”

The receptionist looked relieved.

“But next time you see something wrong, don't confuse silence with safety.”

Elena walked toward the executive elevators.

Her old keycard still worked.

On the top floor, the board had assembled physically and remotely.

Miriam handed Elena a folder.

“Shareholder vote begins at six.”

“To remove Julian permanently?”

“Yes.”

“Do we have the votes?”

“Unless someone changes position.”

Elena looked through the glass doors.

Marcus's chair was empty.

“Where is Marcus?”

“Missing.”

Elena stopped.

“Missing?”

“He isn't answering calls.”

Richard approached.

“We have another issue.”

“What?”

“The five-million-dollar transfer Julian attempted tonight wasn't the first unauthorized transfer.”

Elena's stomach tightened.

“How much?”

“Preliminary total is thirty-one million.”

“Thirty-one?”

“We found more accounts.”

Elena looked toward Miriam.

“What were they buying?”

Miriam hesitated.

“Political access.”

“Luxury property.”

“Private investments.”

“And one company.”

Elena frowned.

“What company?”

Richard handed her a document.

MERCER CROWN HOSPITALITY LLC.

Elena stared at the name.

Julian had incorporated it eleven months earlier.

She turned the page.

There were proposed acquisitions.

Three Aurelia resorts.

A management office.

A private villa portfolio.

He had apparently planned to buy assets from Aurelia using money diverted from Aurelia.

“He was preparing to carve pieces out.”

“Yes.”

Richard's voice was cold.

Elena understood now.

The affair had not been the plan.

It had been the celebration.

Julian believed he was close to independence.

He believed he could extract enough assets to create an empire he truly owned.

At 5:59 a.m., the conference room doors closed.

Miriam looked at the clock.

“One minute.”

Elena sat in the chair beside her father.

Outside, dawn was beginning to lighten the sky.

Julian had promised Vanessa that Elena would be gone by sunrise.

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At exactly 6:00 a.m., the vote began.

And Elena was the one holding the controlling proxy.