Chapter 7 - The Mastermind's Glass
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I cut through the crowd like a warship parting dark waters, heading straight for the VIP elevated platform near the stage.
Nolan Pierce was standing beside three key board members: Arthur Pendelton, the elderly chairman of Mercer Dynamics; Senator Harrison, a major shareholder; and Marcus Thorne, the representative from Titan Holdings.
Nolan was holding a glass of vintage scotch, laughing heartily at something Marcus Thorne had just said.
"And when the restructuring is complete," Nolan was saying, his voice loud enough to carry over the background music, "Mercer Dynamics will be leaner, more efficient, and under much firmer leadership—"
"Is that right, Nolan?" I said, stepping onto the raised platform.
The laughter died instantly.
Arthur Pendelton looked startled, adjusting his wire-rimmed glasses. Senator Harrison looked away awkwardly. But Nolan—Nolan’s smile froze mid-frame, his glass stopping halfway to his mouth.
"Ethan," Nolan said, forcing a warm, concerned tone that sounded utterly hollow. "I thought you went home, buddy. You didn't look so good earlier."
"I felt terrible earlier, Nolan," I said, taking two steps closer until I was standing right in front of him. "I thought my best friend of fifteen years was watching my life fall apart with a heavy heart."
Nolan’s eyes narrowed slightly, a spark of caution flashing behind his polished corporate look. "Ethan, this isn't the time or place. You're on administrative leave, and the board is discussing sensitive corporate transition plans."
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"Sensitive transition plans?" I echoed, turning to look at Arthur Pendelton. "Arthur, did Nolan mention to you that Titan Holdings promised him a fifty-million-dollar buyout bonus if he successfully tanked our stock price by twenty percent before Friday?"
The entire VIP platform went dead silent.
