Chapter 7 - Cornered in the Suite
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"Maya, drop the microphone right now," Eleanor hissed away from her mic, her voice dripping with pure venom. "Security will throw you off this property before you can utter another word."
"Security won't touch me, Eleanor," I said back, keeping my mic active so my voice echoed through the entire ballroom. "Because if they step one foot on this stage, the federal wiretap recording from your husband's private server goes live on every news network in the state."
A collective gasp echoed across the floor. Richard Whitmore pushed his way through the crowd near the bar, his face turning an angry purple.
"Shut the sound down!" Richard roared toward the DJ booth. "Shut it down now!"
The audio suddenly cut out as the DJ frantically pulled the main cables. The ballroom devolved into instant chaos—whispers turning into shouts, phones being pulled out of pockets to record the scene.
Before security could reach the stage, Daniel grabbed my arm and dragged me toward the heavy double doors leading to the private library suite behind the stage. Eleanor and Richard followed immediately, slamming the doors shut behind them and locking out the roaring crowd.
Inside the quiet, wood-paneled library, Richard Whitmore turned on me like a rabid dog.
"You insolent little bitch!" Richard roared, slamming his heavy fist onto the mahogany desk. "Who do you think you are? You come into my house, disrespect my wife, and accuse my family in front of my associates?"
"Richard, calm down," Eleanor breathed, though her hands were shaking so hard she dropped her silk clutch onto the carpet.
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"I won't calm down!" Richard spat, stepping into my space. "I made your father, girl! I can break him with one phone call to the state licensing board! I will destroy his business by morning!"
"You can't break what you already broke five years ago, Mr. Whitmore," I said, leaning back against the leather sofa, entirely unfazed. "And as for your phone calls... I'd suggest you check your own phone first."
