Chapter 11 - The Corporate Ambush
The following evening, the battle moved to the opulent grand ballroom of the Royal York Hotel in Toronto, where the annual Canadian Maritime Commerce Gala was being held. The high-society elite, hedge fund titans, and government ministers gathered under crystal chandeliers, sipping champagne while classical violins masked the predatory deals being struck in whispered corners.
Victoria Vance-Daniels entered the ballroom like a tempest draped in emerald silk. At fifty-five, she was striking, razor-sharp, and radiated the ruthless arrogance of untouchable wealth. Beside her stood Marcus Sterling, a towering man with silver hair and a predator’s smile, whose corporate raider reputation preceded him like a shadow of ruin.
"They haven't arrived yet," Victoria murmured, glancing at her diamond-encrusted watch. "Cowards. Jerry Wallace knows that by nine o’clock tonight, our consortium will announce the acquisition of twenty-eight percent of Wallace Holdings’ floating debt."
"A quiet titan is just an old man who got lucky in real estate," Marcus replied smoothly, sipping his martini. "Once we announce the maritime security investigation into their routing system, their board will panic and hand over the chairmanship by sunrise."
At that precise moment, the double mahogany doors of the grand ballroom swung wide.
The chatter in the hall died instantly.
Walking through the threshold was Jerry Wallace, dressed in a bespoke charcoal tuxedo, his presence commanding, immense, and immovable. On his arm was Kathy Wallace, breathtaking in a royal blue velvet gown, her eyes shining with quiet grace, her chin held high without a shred of fear. Behind them walked Caleb Wallace, broad-shouldered and sharp in black tie, flanked by Elena Vance, who carried a sleek leather presentation binder.
Gasps rippled through the room. Whispers ignited like wildfire.
Victoria’s eyes narrowed to slits. She glided across the polished parquet floor, Marcus trailing a half-step behind her, intercepting the Wallace family near the grand fountain centerpiece.
"Jerry. Kathy," Victoria purred, her voice dripping with artificial warmth. "How courageous of you to show your faces after Shelby’s... unfortunate spectacle last year. I assume you received my formal tender offer for Wallace Maritime’s regional debt notes?"
Kathy looked at Victoria with genuine pity. "You haven't asked about your daughter once since you landed in Canada, Victoria. Not once."
May you like
Victoria’s smile froze for a fraction of a second before turning into a sneer. "Shelby was weak. She lacked the discipline to finish what she started. But I don't leave jobs half-done, Kathy. In less than an hour, Marcus and I will control the voting majority of your primary creditors. Your empire is over."
***
