Chapter 4 - The Gala of Lies
The Merritt Grand Ballroom was filled with the glitter of Chicago’s elite. Cole stood in the shadows of the balcony, watching Danielle work the room. She was holding court, telling a story to a group of donors, touching her stomach with a practiced grace.
He had showered, changed, and put on a suit that felt like armor. He held the key card to the hotel's master server in his pocket.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Danielle announced, tapping her glass. “I have wonderful news. Cole and I are expecting, and we are committing to a new era of excellence for the Merritt Grand.”
The applause was deafening. Danielle beamed, her eyes scanning the room until they found Cole. She gestured for him to join her.
Cole walked down the stairs. He wasn't holding a speech. He was holding a tablet.
“Cole, darling, come tell them,” Danielle said, slipping her arm through his. She whispered, “Play along, or I’ll ruin your reputation. I have the board in my pocket.”
Cole stopped in the center of the room. He didn't look at the crowd. He looked at the large projection screen behind the stage, typically used for showing resort promos.
“I have wonderful news, too,” Cole said, his voice projecting into the microphones. “But it’s not about an era of excellence. It’s about an era of truth.”
He tapped a button on his tablet.
The screen flickered to life. It wasn't a promotional video. It was a high-definition recording of the back alley. It showed the contractor, the envelope, and clearly, unmistakably, Danielle’s assistant handing over the money.
The room went dead silent.
“This,” Cole said, his voice echoing, “is my hotel. And this is how we treat the people who build it.”
May you like
Danielle’s face drained of color. “Cole, don’t you dare—you’re the father of my child!”
“Are you?” Cole asked, pulling a document from his jacket. “Because I have the medical report from the doctor you claimed to have visited today. You weren't at the clinic, Danielle. You were at a florist, picking out centerpieces.”
