Chapter 5
Julian’s mind raced through the tactical options available to him in the cavernous ballroom. He knew Vance was bluffing about the legality of the equipment—unauthorized interception of international financial data under the Patriot Act carried mandatory federal prison sentences that no corporate settlement could wipe away. However, Vance was entirely correct about the immediate fallout. If those encrypted logs leaked right now, the resulting panic among his investors would destroy his firm before dawn.
"You're assuming I carry the master decryption keys in my pocket during my own wedding reception," Julian said, buying time, his voice remarkably steady. He kept his weight balanced on the balls of his feet, calculating the distance between himself and the man blocking the exit.
Marcus smiled, tapping the leather briefcase he held. "I’m assuming nothing, Julian. I know for a fact that your enterprise tablet is locked inside the bridal suite safe upstairs, and your emergency override token is tethered to your personal biometric profile. All I need is your cooperation, or your thumbprint."
Before Julian could reply, a soft tug pulled at the hem of his tuxedo jacket. He looked down. Lily was staring up at him, her big hopeful eyes communicating a message far beyond her six years. She didn't speak aloud, but her small hand subtly gestured toward the service elevator alcove located just behind the floral archway to their left—an alternate route out of the ballroom that Vance’s men hadn't secured.
Clara noticed the movement simultaneously. With subtle grace, she shifted her weight, using the voluminous layers of her white lace wedding gown to partially obscure Lily from Marcus’s direct line of sight.
"Julian," Clara said loudly, pitching her voice to draw the older man's full attention back to the center of the room. "If we agree to consider your terms, we need privacy. This is hardly the place to negotiate business transactions amidst fallen fondant and shattered glass."
Marcus narrowed his eyes, suspicious of the sudden shift in tone. He took a slow step forward, his hand drifting toward his briefcase. "You are in no position to dictate terms, Clara. Give me the access code now, or—"
"Now!" Julian shouted.
In a blur of motion, Julian lunged forward, not toward Vance, but sideways, sweeping his arm across the heavy silver cake stand. With a deafening crash, the entire multi-tier structure collapsed completely onto the parquet floor, sending sugar, frosting, and the blinking mechanical device scattering across the room. The sudden explosion of debris startled Vance, causing him to instinctively raise his arms to shield his face.
"Run!" Clara yelled, scooping Lily up into her arms despite the restrictive weight of her wedding dress.
May you like
They bolted toward the service elevator alcove, their footsteps echoing sharply against the marble walls. Marcus Vance cursed loudly, recovering instantly from the surprise, and drew a compact electronic device from his pocket. "Stop them!" he roared to the shadows near the entrance.
Two heavy-set men in dark grey jumpsuits emerged from the corridor near the coat check, cutting off the main hallway. But Julian was already ahead of them. Reaching the service elevator button, he slammed his fist against it repeatedly until the heavy steel doors slid open with a welcoming chime. Clara bundled Lily inside, diving in right behind her as Julian leaped through the closing gap just as the first pursuer reached the threshold.
