Chapter 5 - The Executor's Verdict
Harrison Vance’s footsteps echoed heavily against the marble floor as he walked down the center aisle, parting the crowd of stunned guests like a ship cutting through dark water. He did not look at Victoria, nor did he spare a glance for Clara, who was still huddled miserably in her ruined gold dress. His eyes were fixed entirely on Julian, carrying the weight of an unyielding judgment.
"Good evening, ladies and gentlemen," Harrison said, his voice resonant and authoritative, filling the vast hall without the aid of a microphone. "I apologize for the interruption, but it appears my presence is required to clear up a rather sordid misunderstanding regarding the Vanguard legacy."
Victoria immediately rushed toward Harrison, her manicured hands outstretched in a desperate plea.
"Harrison, you have to help us!" Victoria pleaded, her voice teetering on the edge of hysteria. "This is all a malicious setup! Some unverified child and a disgruntled employee trying to sabotage the family name! Arthur wants Julian to inherit—you know he does!"
Harrison gently but firmly bypassed Victoria, as if she were nothing more than a passing inconvenience, and stopped directly in front of Julian’s chair. He placed the leather briefcase on the white-clothed table, right beside the discarded sofa pillow.
"Arthur Vanguard never wanted cowardice to inherit his empire, Victoria," Harrison said coldly, opening the brass latches of the briefcase with a crisp click. "And as of forty-eight minutes ago, Arthur Vanguard passed away peacefully in his penthouse suite."
The ballroom fell into a dead, absolute hush. Clara let out a sharp, indrawn breath, covering her mouth with her hand. Julian simply stared at the open briefcase, his mind refusing to process the finality of the words. His grandfather was gone. The man who had raised him, challenged him, and ultimately despised his weakness was dead—and Julian had spent his final hours lying to his face with a stolen sofa cushion.
"Before he passed," Harrison continued, pulling a thick envelope sealed with red wax from the briefcase, "he instructed me to execute Amendment K-9. The document that explicitly disinherits any direct descendant attempting to commit fraud against the estate."
Harrison slid the document across the table, stopping it right beneath Julian’s nose.
May you like
"Sign the acknowledgment of forfeiture, Julian," Harrison instructed quietly. "And then pack your bags. The police are waiting in the freight elevator to escort you both off the premises."
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