Chapter 4 - The Unmasking at Harbor Point
""Granddad!"" Nolan gasped, turning toward the patriarch. ""What is she talking about? She’s an employee! She can't own Harbor Point!""
""She can, and she does,"" Walter said, slamming his cane onto the museum’s parquet floor with a resounding crack. ""Because while you were spending Pryce money on private jets and mistresses, Maren Kessler was working eighty hours a week to make sure our name wasn't dragged into bankruptcy court!""
Brynn stepped forward, her hand clutched dramatically against her pregnant stomach, tears spilling down her cheeks. ""Mr. Pryce, please! Nolan made a mistake, but he came back for his family! He came back for his child! How could you let this... this outsider take what belongs to your great-grandchild?""
Walter looked at Brynn Ashford, his expression cold as granite. ""Young woman, a child is an innocent blessing. But a surname does not confer talent, honor, or common sense. My grandson proved he has none of those three things the morning he abandoned his vows.""
Daphne appeared, her eyes wild, pushing past the onlookers. ""Walter, stop this right now! You are humiliating our family in front of the entire governor’s council!""
""No, Daphne,"" Walter replied harshly. ""You and Nolan humiliated this family four years ago. Tonight, we are simply setting the record straight.""
Silas placed a protective, possessive hand on the small of Maren’s back, guiding her forward. The sheer power radiating from the two of them commanded the entire ballroom.
""Nolan,"" Silas said smoothly, pulling a crisp, white document from his breast pocket. ""Tomorrow morning at nine o’clock, Rowan Maritime will exercise its right of first refusal on the Harbor Point logistics terminal. The land contracts require a primary operating partner who holds at least thirty percent equity in cash.""
Nolan swallowed hard, his throat dry. ""I... the family trust has forty million—""
""The family trust was depleted by half when you settled your illegal sports betting debts in Macau two years ago,"" Maren stated clearly, her voice slicing through Nolan’s defenses like a scalpel. The ballroom gasped. Nolan looked as if he had been struck by lightning.
""How do you know about Macau?"" Nolan whispered, horrified.
""I signed the bailout check, Nolan,"" Maren said, stepping close enough that only Nolan, Brynn, and Daphne could hear her next words. ""I signed it with Walter’s approval to protect the Pryce stock. In exchange, Walter transferred forty-nine percent of the operating shares directly to my name. You don't own Pryce Development. You own the clothes on your back and whatever scrap of dignity you have left.""
Brynn turned to Nolan, her eyes wide with mounting panic. ""Nolan... what is she saying? You told me you owned the entire harbor! You told me we were moving into the penthouse!""
""Shut up, Brynn!"" Nolan snapped, losing his composure completely.
""Don't speak to her like that,"" Daphne pleaded, her voice trembling. ""Walter, you can't do this to your own blood! Maren was an orphan we took in! She owes us!""
""Maren owes you nothing,"" Silas growled, his voice dropping into that terrifying, shadowed tone that kept city officials awake at night. ""She paid your debts. She kept your father alive. And if you raise your voice at her again in my presence, Daphne, I will call every bank in New England and have your personal lines of credit revoked before breakfast.""
Daphne choked on her breath, backing away as if Silas were a cobra ready to strike.
Silas looked down at Maren, his expression softening instantly into something intensely protective and tender. ""Are you ready to leave, Maren? The air in here is foul.""
May you like
""Yes,"" Maren smiled, a radiant, triumphant expression that made Nolan’s chest ache with agonizing, useless regret. ""I believe we’re finished here.""
Silas turned, offering his arm. Maren took it, her hand resting against his muscular forearm, and together they walked down the red carpet toward the exit, flashing cameras illuminating their departure, leaving Nolan, Daphne, and Brynn standing alone in the ruins of their arrogance.
