Chapter 2 - The Black Diamond Card
The grand ballroom went so quiet that the faint hum of the air conditioning sounded like a roaring wind. Arthur’s fork clattered against his porcelain plate, a sharp, violent crack that made several seated socialites flinch. Eleanor’s hand froze mid-air, her champagne glass hovering inches from her lips.
""What did you just say?"" Arthur demanded, leaning forward over the table, his knuckles whitening as he gripped the pristine tablecloth. ""You insolent brat. You think because you showed up in a rental suit you can utter nonsensical lies at my celebration?""
Kenneth didn't raise his voice. He reached into his breast pocket and produced an unblemished, matte-black card with an embossed titanium seal. He held it out toward the trembling coordinator. ""Charge the entire evening to this. The grand ballroom, the vintage reserves, and the open bar. Everything.""
The coordinator’s eyes widened to the size of saucers as she saw the insignia. Her hands shook violently as she tapped the card against her terminal. A sharp chime echoed from the device, followed immediately by an automated green prompt that flashed across her screen: TRANSACTION APPROVED - UNLIMITED TIER.
""Approved... fully authorized, Mr. Miller,"" she breathed, stumbling backward with a profound, instinctive bow. ""Thank you, Chairman.""
Eleanor scoffed, trying to mask her sudden unease with theatrical mockery. ""Chairman? Don't tell me you rented a prop card to impress our guests, Kenneth. Where would a disgrace like you get that kind of money? Arthur, call security! Have this clown escorted to the street!""
""Security reports to the building's leaseholder, Mother,"" Kenneth replied calmly. He turned slowly, letting his eyes sweep across the faces of the Miller board members who were already murmuring, their gazes darting nervously between Kenneth and Arthur. ""And as of four o'clock this afternoon, the leaseholder of the Grand Imperial Hotel, along with eighty percent of Miller Holdings' outstanding debt notes, is Vanguard Sovereign Trust.""
Arthur leaped to his feet, knocking his chair back with a heavy thud. ""Vanguard? Vanguard is an overseas conglomerate! They bought out our primary creditors to restructure us! How do you even know that name?""
Kenneth looked down at his daughter’s card. The crayon drawing was lopsided, depicting a little stick-figure family holding hands beneath a bright purple sun. He gently slipped the drawing into his interior pocket, right next to his heart, before meeting his father’s bloodshot gaze.
May you like
""Because I am Vanguard,"" Kenneth said.
Before Arthur could roar another insult, the double doors at the back of the hall burst open, and four men in tailored charcoal suits entered, accompanied by the city’s Chief District Attorney.
