Chapter 7 - The Step into the Glare
The ballroom was a sea of black ties, diamond necklaces, and sparkling champagne flutes. When Julian stepped out onto the mezzanine landing with Clara on his arm, a ripple of quiet applause traveled upward through the crowd.
Below, hundreds of the city's most powerful figures lifted their faces. Among them stood Marcus Hayes, the senior board chairman, his hair slicked silver, holding a prepared leather binder containing Julian’s speech.
Behind Julian, half-hidden by the floral arrangements near the private gallery door, stood Eleanor Vance and Mateo Ortiz.
"Smile, Julian," Clara murmured under her breath, though her own smile was stiff and fragile. "They are watching our eyes."
"Let them watch," Julian whispered back.
He did not walk down the curving grand staircase with his usual hurried, polished stride. He moved deliberately, feeling the solid wood beneath his polished shoes with every step. Clara held his arm tightly, not pulling him back, but grounding him against the current of expectations waiting at the bottom.
As they reached the podium, Marcus Hayes stepped forward, clapping Julian firmly on the shoulder. "The press is live-streaming the regional broadcast, Julian. Make Arthur proud. Remind them who built this city."
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Julian took the leather binder from Marcus's hands, smiled politely, and placed it face down on the lectern without opening it.
He reached inside his tuxedo jacket and pulled out the yellow Manila envelope.
