Chapter 28
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A week later, the Grand Aster hotel hosted another event. This time, it was not a children’s rights fundraiser, but an annual gala for the city’s historical preservation society. I had been a board member for two decades, and my attendance was expected.
Maya offered to accompany me, but I declined. I needed to walk into that building alone, to prove to myself that the marble and gold held absolutely no power over me anymore.
I wore an elegant emerald gown and walked through the heavy brass doors with my head held high. The ballroom was stunning, filled with familiar faces and polite applause. I navigated the room with ease, accepting compliments and engaging in quiet conversations about museum funding and archival grants.
As I approached the champagne tower, a figure stepped out from the shadows near the grand staircase.
It was Elias Thorne. He looked terrible. His expensive suit was wrinkled, his posture was hunched, and the arrogant, calculating light in his eyes had been replaced by sheer, desperate panic. He was out on bail, facing decades in federal prison for international fraud and extortion.
"Eleanor," Elias croaked, his voice lacking its previous smooth confidence. "Please. You have to tell Maya to drop the federal complaint. I was just following orders. I didn't know the full extent of Richard’s crimes."
I looked at him, feeling absolutely no pity. He had tried to terrorize my daughter and bring fear to my granddaughter's window.
"You knew exactly what you were doing, Elias," I said, my voice cold and loud enough for the surrounding guests to hear. "You tried to weaponize our trauma for your own financial gain. You thought because I was old, and because Maya was a victim, that we would simply bow to your extortion."
"I have a family," Elias begged, stepping closer.
May you like
"So do I," I replied, holding my ground. "And my family fights back. Do not ever speak to me again."
I turned my back on him and walked away. Two hotel security guards, having noticed the confrontation, quickly escorted Elias out of the building. I took a sip of my champagne, the taste crisp and victorious. The Grand Aster was finally just a hotel.
