Chapter 2 - The Vanguard SecretThe scandal of the Grand Ashford ballroom did not stay within its walls. By sunrise, digital clips of Madison Vale’s failed kick and the mysterious interruption by billionaire Ethan Ashford had flooded local news outlets and social media channels. Reporters swarmed the lobby of the hotel, while corporate analysts speculated on what this bizarre public humiliation meant for the upcoming merger between Ashford Holdings and the Vale industrial empire.
Inside his private penthouse suite overlooking a gray, freezing Lake Michigan, Ethan stood by floor-to-ceiling windows, watching the snow dust the Chicago skyline.
The heavy oak door opened, and his lead security consultant, Marcus Vance, stepped inside, carrying a thick leather-bound folder.
“The video has been scrubbed from major algorithmic feeds, boss, but the damage to Miss Vale’s pride is irreversible,” Marcus reported, laying the folder on the mahogany desk. “She locked herself in the east wing guest suite and refused breakfast. Furthermore, her father, Arthur Vale, has already called twice. He’s demanding an official public apology and the immediate termination of Elena Reyes.”
Ethan didn't turn around immediately. He traced a finger along the cold glass. “Arthur Vale can scream into the wind. Have you pulled the old Vanguard incident files from the municipal archives?”
“I tried,” Marcus said grimly. “The digital logs from six years ago have been heavily encrypted and restricted under a federal security seal. Someone with deep pockets and high-level clearance scrubbed Gabriel Reyes’s employment records clean.”
“Except for the physical backup copy,” Ethan said, turning around.
Marcus raised an eyebrow. “You kept the physical file?”
“Gabriel gave it to me seconds before the vault doors jammed,” Ethan replied, walking over to a hidden wall safe behind a modern art canvas. He spun the heavy dial, unlocking a compartment that had remained untouched for half a decade. From inside, he pulled a singed, water-damaged manila folder labeled Project Vanguard: Audit 04. “He knew they were coming for him. He made me promise that if anything happened to him, I would look after his family. But I was twenty-six, arrogant, and entirely controlled by my board of directors. I let them bury his reputation so I could secure my position as CEO.”
May you like
Marcus looked at the folder with quiet respect. “And now that Elena Reyes is working in your hotel as a maid?”
“Now fate has dropped her right back into my path,” Ethan said, his voice hard. “Find out who authorized the seal on her father’s case file. And bring Elena here. We need to talk away from the hotel staff and Madison’s prying eyes.”
