Chapter 4 - The Meridian Gala
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The Grand Ballroom of the Palmer House was a sea of crystal chandeliers, gold leaf trim, and the most dangerous money in the Midwest. At 8:30 PM, the Meridian Winter Gala was in full swing. Waiters in white gloves carried trays of vintage champagne through crowds of politicians, cartel liaisons, and tech billionaires.
Dominic Vale stood near the center of the room, perfectly positioned beneath the largest chandelier, holding a glass of scotch.
He felt entirely invincible.
Beside him stood Vanessa Quinn, wearing a plunging, backless crimson gown that drew the eyes of every man in a fifty-foot radius. She leaned into Dominic’s shoulder, laughing loudly at a joke told by the mayor’s chief of staff. She was vibrant, loud, and entirely unapologetic. She was exactly the kind of trophy Dominic believed a king required.
“You’re glowing tonight, Mr. Vale,” the chief of staff said, offering a toast. “The Hensley merger went through smoothly, I hear.”
“Just a matter of applying the right pressure to the right arteries,” Dominic smiled smoothly, clinking his glass against the politician’s.
Vanessa ran her hand down Dominic’s arm, her dark eyes flashing with triumph. “Dominic doesn't just apply pressure. He breaks the bone. That’s why Vale Holdings is dominating the waterfront.”
Dominic puffed his chest out slightly. He loved the way she worshipped his ruthlessness. Evelyn had always looked away when he discussed the brutal realities of his business. Evelyn had always been too soft, too delicate for the blood required to build an empire.
“Is Evelyn not feeling well tonight?” an older, conservative investor asked, looking around the room. “She’s usually so diligent about the charity auctions.”
Dominic’s smile tightened for a fraction of a second, but he quickly recovered.
“Evelyn and I have decided to part ways,” Dominic announced, his voice carrying just loud enough for the surrounding circle to hear. The ripple of gossip was exactly what he wanted. “It was a mutual decision. She prefers a quieter life, and the business requires my full attention. Fortunately, Vanessa has stepped up to manage our public relations through the transition.”
The investor blinked, looking at the crimson dress Vanessa wore, clearly understanding that she was managing much more than public relations. But in this room, power forgave all sins.
May you like
“Well,” the investor coughed nervously. “To new beginnings, then.”
“To new beginnings,” Dominic echoed, taking a long drink of his scotch. He was rid of the dead weight. He was the undisputed boss of Chicago. Nothing could touch him tonight.
