Chapter 10: The Stage on Fire
Before Marcus could formulate a desperate reply, the applause from the main ballroom swelled, drowning out our confrontation. The master of ceremonies’ voice boomed through the overhead sound system, introducing Eleanor for her keynote address.
"Ladies and gentlemen," the amplified voice echoed, rich with sycophantic praise, "a woman whose tireless dedication and philanthropic vision have shaped this city for three decades—our beloved chairwoman, Mrs. Eleanor Grandview."
The room erupted into a deafening wall of clapping. Julian exchanged a sharp, decisive look with me. "Now," he whispered.
Instead of waiting in the wings, Julian walked past the heavy velvet drapes and stepped directly onto the raised dais from the side stairs. I followed closely behind him, my footsteps clicking in rhythm against the polished oak flooring. Eleanor was mid-smile, extending her hands to accept the ornate crystal plaque from the mayor, when she turned and saw us walking toward her across the stage. Her smile did not drop instantly; it froze on her face like a porcelain mask that had suddenly been sprayed with ice.
The mayor blinked, lowering his microphone in confusion as Julian stepped up to the podium and calmly reached past the stunned chairwoman to unplug the primary audio cord. A sharp, piercing shriek of feedback whined through the speakers before dying into absolute, ringing silence.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Julian’s voice cut across the expansive hall, carrying clearly without the amplification as the hundreds of guests turned in their seats to stare at the stage. "Before Mrs. Grandview accepts her award for corporate charity, there is a small administrative oversight regarding the foundation's origins that needs immediate public clarification."
May you like
Eleanor’s hand shot out, her emerald ring flashing under the spotlight as she grabbed Julian’s sleeve with surprising force. "Julian, you insolent fool," she hissed through teeth bared in a tight, rictus grin meant to look like an affectionate family joke to the distant audience. "Get off this stage this instant or I'll have the guards throw you into the street."
"You can try, Eleanor," I spoke up, stepping directly into the pooling light beside the podium. I reached up and pulled the green jade pendant free from beneath my collar, holding it up so the polished stone caught the chandelier's brilliance. "But the people out there might want to know why my grandmother Margaret’s estate was looted to build this very ballroom."
