Chapter 3 - The Rooftop Ballroom
Two miles away, the rooftop ballroom of the Grand Azure Hotel glittered like a diamond suspended in the Chicago night sky. Floor-to-ceiling glass windows offered a panoramic view of the snow-dusted skyline, while inside, hundreds of guests dressed in designer tuxedos and glittering evening gowns mingled beneath cascading crystal chandeliers. A live jazz quartet played softly in the corner, and waiters moved through the crowd bearing silver trays of Dom Pérignon and artisanal canapés.
Brent Lawson stood near the VIP stage, holding a glass of scotch, laughing heartily as he regaled a group of senior partners with an embellished story about how his leadership team had secured the Harrington Global account.
“It’s all about vision,” Brent declared, adjusting his silk bow tie with a self-satisfied smirk. “You have to know how to delegate the grunt work while maintaining strategic oversight. That’s how we keep titans like Evelyn Harrington happy.”
Beside him, Melissa nodded eagerly, her sequined emerald dress catching the stage lights. “You’re a genius, Brent. Honestly, keeping dead weight like Daniel Carter on the payroll for so long just proves how patient you are. Can you imagine him in a room like this? He’d probably try to talk about carpools and bedtime stories.”
A chorus of polite, sycophantic laughter rippled through the group.
Across the room, standing near the mahogany bar, Evelyn Harrington checked her diamond-encrusted wristwatch. She wore a sharp, midnight-blue velvet pantsuit that commanded immediate authority. Her expression was ice-cold as she scanned the crowded ballroom, her sharp eyes moving from partner to partner.
She turned to her chief of staff, Marcus, who stood quietly by her side.
“Marcus,” Evelyn said, her voice cutting through the ambient chatter. “Where is Daniel Carter? I’ve circled this room twice, and I haven't seen him anywhere. He’s supposed to co-sign the forty-two-million-dollar expansion addendum tonight.”
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Marcus frowned, checking his tablet. “That’s strange, Ms. Harrington. Northbridge’s managing partner specifically assured me that all key strategic leads for your account would be in attendance.”
Evelyn’s eyes narrowed. She had worked with enough corporate climbers to recognize a dirty trick when she smelled one. She pulled a sleek smartphone from her pocket, unlocked it with a single tap, and dialed my direct mobile number.
