Chapter 1: The Man Who Stood
The ballroom fell silent.
Every guest stared as Adrian slowly rose from his wheelchair.
My father's champagne glass slipped from his fingers and shattered across the marble floor.
"You..." he whispered.
"You can walk?"
Adrian straightened his tuxedo.
"I've been able to for nearly a year."
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"So this is some kind of joke?"
Adrian calmly shook his head.
"No."
"This is due diligence."
The twelve executives standing near the ballroom entrance stepped forward.
At their head was a silver-haired woman carrying a leather briefcase.
She smiled politely.
"My name is Margaret Ellis."
"Chief Compliance Officer."
She placed several folders on the gift table where wedding presents had been stacked only moments earlier.
"We're here because your family's company has been under investigation for the last eight months."
The color drained from my father's face.
He looked at me.
"You told them?"
I met his eyes without fear.
"No."
"You did."
He frowned.
"What?"
"Every forged signature."
"Every fake purchase order."
"Every stolen design."
"You left a trail."
May you like
Adrian gently took my hand.
"I simply helped people follow it."
