CHAPTER 14: The Empire Leaves Through the Front Door

Grant’s phone began vibrating before Amelia reached the door.
One message. Then another. Then another.
Board counsel. Bank officers. His chief operating officer. A reporter from a financial paper who should not have known anything yet.
Charles had not ruined him with gossip.
He had ruined him with procedure.
That was worse.
Gossip could be denied. Procedure arrived with timestamps.
Grant looked around the hall as if the portraits might defend him.
Celeste stood alone near the staircase, still beautiful, now useless.
Daniel gathered the signed copies and handed one to security.
“Mr. Cross, you will leave the property after Mrs. Cross departs. You will not enter the hospital floor. You will communicate through counsel.”
Grant stared at Amelia.
“You would let him take everything?”
Amelia answered, “No. I am taking back what you used to hurt me.”