Chapter 4 - THE TIDE TURNS
The spectacle of Dominic Vale being publicly restrained by Mercer security in front of Chicago’s highest social echelon was caught on dozens of private phone cameras. Within minutes, whispers turned into frantic text messages, and text messages turned into panic among the investors attending the gala.
Dominic stood frozen near the bar, his face pale and clammy. Vanessa had already slipped away toward the ladies' room, desperately trying to call her public relations team to contain the damage before news hit the press.
My father and I moved toward the VIP lounge overlooking the ballroom floor. High-ranking executives from the major investment banks backing Dominic’s upcoming IPO were practically trampling each other to reach our table.
Arthur Pendelton, the senior managing director at Vanguard Capital—the main underwriter for Vale Enterprises—approached my father with a nervous smile.
“Chairman Mercer, Miss Mercer... what a remarkable evening,” Pendelton said, his forehead glistening under the chandeliers. “I had no idea Miss Mercer was connected to Vale Enterprises. We were under the impression that Dominic Vale was the sole driving force behind the company’s military logistics infrastructure.”
I smiled calmly, taking a delicate bite of caviar. “Mr. Pendelton, my father’s company holds the proprietary patents for the maritime tracking software that Vale Enterprises licenses. In fact, those patents make up roughly seventy percent of Vale’s operational efficiency.”
Pendelton’s eyes widened in horror. “Licenses? Is the licensing agreement long-term?”
My father leaned back, swirling his scotch. “It was a master license granted out of personal goodwill. However, due to recent... structural changes and breach of trust, Mercer International will be reviewing all active licensing agreements at midnight tonight.”
Pendelton gasped softly, turning his head to look over at Dominic, who was trying to pour himself another drink with shaking hands. If Mercer revoked those software licenses, Vale Enterprises would lose its core functionality overnight. The $1.2 billion valuation would collapse to zero before the stock market opened on Monday.
“I... I understand completely, Chairman,” Pendelton said quickly, backing away while already whipping out his phone to call his risk management team. “Excuse me, I must make an urgent call.”
As Pendelton walked away, I watched Dominic cross the room toward us again. He looked completely unraveled. His tie was loosened, his hair was messy, and the polished confidence he had worn in our bedroom had completely vanished.
He approached our table, disregarding the security guards who stepped up to block him.
“Evelyn! Please!” Dominic pleaded, his voice trembling. “Just give me five minutes! I beg you!”
My father looked at me, leaving the decision in my hands. I gave a slight nod to the guards, who stepped aside.
“Five minutes, Dominic,” I said, my voice cold and crisp. “Say what you have to say.”
Dominic practically collapsed onto the leather seat across from me. He reached out to take my hands, but I casually pulled them back, folding them over my velvet clutch.
“Evelyn, I was wrong,” he stammered, his eyes red and desperate. “I was completely blind! Vanessa... she meant nothing to me! She was just a distraction, a mistake! I’m firing her tonight! Right now!”
“You smell like her perfume, Dominic,” I said flatly. “You’ve smelled like her perfume for ten months. Did you think I was stupid? Or did you just think I was too weak and helpless to do anything about it?”
“I thought... I thought you were just a simple woman who depended on me!” Dominic cried out, tears actually forming in his eyes. “I wanted to protect you from this brutal corporate world! That’s why I didn't tell you about the stress I was under!”
I chuckled softly, a sound filled with pure disdain. “Protect me? You stood in our bedroom an hour ago and told me I wasn't the kind of woman this life required. You offered me $5,000 a month to pack my things and disappear before breakfast.”
Dominic swallowed hard, his face turning ghost-white. “I didn't mean it! I swear I didn't! We can fix this, Evelyn! We’re married! Eight years! You love me—I know you love me! We can announce at the press conference tomorrow that we’re a united front! It will save the IPO, and we can start over!”
I leaned in close to him, letting him look directly into my eyes, where he found zero warmth, zero forgiveness, and zero nostalgia.
“I loved the man I thought you were, Dominic,” I whispered softly. “But that man never existed. You are nothing more than an arrogant parasite who fed off my silent support and convinced himself he was a king.”
I stood up, adjusting my gown.
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“It’s 11:45 PM, Dominic. You have fifteen minutes before my father’s legal team files the corporate injunction revoking your software licenses. And as for our marriage... my divorce attorneys have already filed the paperwork in cook county. You wanted me gone by morning?”
I offered him a cruel, radiant smile. “You won't even have a company by morning.”
