Chapter 7 - Confrontation in the Sapphire Hall
The Sapphire Dining Hall was a masterpiece of Victorian architecture, featuring stained-glass skylights, polished mahogany dining tables, and glittering crystal chandeliers. Around the primary conference table sat five members of the Grand Regent executive board, alongside Mr. Sterling, who looked like a man walking toward his own execution.
At the head of the table sat Arthur Thorne, the corrupt chairman of the board who had orchestrated the financial looting of the hotel following the passing of Ethan's father.
"Sterling, where are the updated financial projection reports?" Thorne snapped, not looking up from his coffee cup. "The regional investors arrive in two hours, and I want those offshore accounts completely scrubbed before—"
The heavy oak double doors of the dining hall swung open with a resounding bang.
All heads turned sharply toward the entrance.
Ethan Vance stood in the doorway, his shoulders squared, his gaze fixed with absolute, terrifying calm upon the chairman. Behind him stood two burly federal marshals in tactical vests, flanked by corporate legal counsel Arthur Pendelton.
Thorne dropped his silver spoon, clattering against his porcelain teacup. He stared at Ethan, blinking in utter disbelief. "Vance? What is the meaning of this? This is a private executive board meeting! Security, remove this man immediately!"
"Call off your security, Thorne," Ethan said, his voice echoing cleanly off the high vaulted ceilings of the hall. He walked slowly toward the head of the table, his footsteps heavy and measured. "There is no security left in this building willing to protect criminals."
Viktor, the hulking head of security who had driven the truck that killed Sarah, stepped out from the side corridor with a hand reaching toward his radio holster, his face twisted in rage. "I'll handle him, Mr. Thorne—"
Before Viktor could take another step, one of the federal marshals stepped forward, unholstering a firearm and pressing it firmly against Viktor's chest. "Federal Marshals! Don't even think about it, hands behind your back right now!"
Viktor froze, the color draining from his face as the heavy steel cuffs snapped around his wrists with a sharp, metallic click.
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Thorne stood up, his face flushing purple with panic and fury. "This is outrageous! You have no legal authority here! We own this board!"
"You own nothing," Ethan said, stopping right at the edge of the table. He reached into his inner coat pocket, pulled out the high-capacity encrypted flash drive, and tossed it onto the mahogany wood directly in front of Thorne. "My father built this hotel on honesty, hard work, and integrity. You turned it into a den of thieves and murderers. And my wife, Sarah, gave her life to expose you."
