Chapter 2 - The First Locked Door

Julian noticed the first problem twelve minutes after midnight.

He was standing inside the presidential penthouse with Vanessa while an assistant poured imported cognac.

The ballroom celebration had ended.

Most guests were gone.

Vanessa had kicked off her heels and was admiring Elena's emerald pendant in the mirror.

Julian's phone buzzed.

He glanced at the screen.

PAYMENT AUTHORIZATION DECLINED.

He frowned.

The message concerned a wire transfer he had scheduled earlier that evening.

Five million dollars was supposed to move from Aurelia Hospitality Holdings into a new development account in Monaco.

Julian tapped the screen.

He tried again.

DECLINED.

Vanessa watched him through the mirror.

“Problem?”

“Technical issue.”

He called Marcus Hale.

The CFO answered with a sleepy voice.

“Julian?”

“Why did the Monaco transfer fail?”

A pause followed.

“I don't know.”

“Then find out.”

“I'll call treasury.”

Julian hung up.

Vanessa smiled.

“You shouldn't let work ruin our first night without her.”

Julian stepped behind her.

“Elena was never difficult to remove.”

Vanessa touched the emerald pendant.

“She looked pretty devastated.”

“She'll come crawling back.”

“You think?”

“I know her.”

Vanessa turned.

“Do you?”

The question irritated him.

Before he could answer, the penthouse lights flickered.

Then the entertainment system shut down.

The wall control panel went dark.

Julian cursed.

A moment later, the lights returned.

But the private elevator panel remained inactive.

Julian touched his executive keycard against the sensor.

A red light blinked.

ACCESS DENIED.

He tried again.

ACCESS DENIED.

Vanessa laughed softly.

“Maybe Elena cursed the building.”

Julian ignored her and called the front desk.

The night manager answered immediately.

“Mr. Mercer.”

“My penthouse elevator isn't recognizing my card.”

The manager's voice sounded unusually careful.

“Yes, sir.”

“Yes, what?”

“We're experiencing authorization changes.”

“Fix it.”

“I don't have permission.”

Julian's jaw tightened.

“You are the night manager of my resort.”

Another pause.

“Sir, I have received written instructions from corporate security not to override executive access until further notice.”

Julian stared at the elevator.

“Whose instructions?”

“I cannot disclose that.”

“You can disclose anything I order you to disclose.”

“I'm sorry, sir.”

Julian ended the call so violently that Vanessa flinched.

His phone rang.

Marcus.

“What?”

Marcus sounded different now.

Awake.

Nervous.

“Julian, treasury can't access three operating accounts.”

“What do you mean can't access?”

“The credentials were suspended.”

“Restore them.”

“They aren't controlled through our normal administrative system.”

Julian walked toward the windows.

“Who controls them?”

Marcus lowered his voice.

“I don't know.”

Julian laughed once.

“You're the CFO.”

“I know.”

“Then act like it.”

“I've already contacted the bank.”

“And?”

“They said the restriction came from the beneficial owner.”

Julian froze.

“The beneficial owner is Aurelia Hospitality Holdings.”

Marcus hesitated.

“Apparently Aurelia Hospitality isn't the top entity.”

Julian turned slowly.

Vanessa was watching him.

“What is?”

“I don't know yet.”

Julian felt the first small movement of fear inside his chest.

He crushed it immediately.

“Find out.”

At 12:31 a.m., every member of the Aurelia Resorts board received an emergency meeting notice.

Julian received one too.

He opened it.

His expression changed.

Vanessa stepped closer.

“What?”

The notice contained only three lines.

EMERGENCY SHAREHOLDER REVIEW.

MANDATORY ATTENDANCE.

1:00 A.M.

At the bottom was a name Julian had not seen on a corporate document in years.

VALE LEGACY TRUST.

Julian whispered the words.

Vanessa's smile disappeared.

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“Vale?”

For the first time that night, Julian remembered Elena's maiden name.