CHAPTER 12: Security Learns Whom to Serve

Victor gave one instruction, and the ballroom rearranged itself.
The press line was closed. The footage was preserved. The head server moved Clara and Maren's belongings from the Whitcomb table to a private lounge upstairs. Security placed themselves near Adelaide with a politeness that made every exit feel smaller.
Adelaide's sister stood as if to intervene, then sat again when Victor's attorney looked at her clipboard.
Wealth recognized procedure faster than it recognized pain.
Julian stood beside Maren, close enough to show loyalty, not close enough to claim forgiveness. That distance hurt him, but Maren did not move to soften it.
The Whitcomb board chair approached Victor with a careful smile.
'Surely we can avoid damaging the foundation over a personal misunderstanding.'
Victor's answer was quiet.
'A foundation that needs a child humiliated to protect its image deserves to be reviewed.'
The man stepped back.
Across the ballroom, Adelaide watched donors take mental inventory of every check they had promised her that evening.
Power was leaving her one handshake at a time.