Chapter 8 - THE SHAREHOLDER SABOTAGE
The annual Ashworth Infrastructure Shareholder Gala was held at the Plaza Hotel in New York City. It was the social and corporate event of the season, and Arthur Greer had planned an ambush. He intended to call for a vote of no confidence against Daniel, using the scandal with Marisol as proof of Daniel's "erratic and unstable leadership."
When Daniel arrived, the paparazzi flashed blindly. But the murmurs in the ballroom weren't about the scandal; they were about the woman on his arm.
Marisol wore a stunning, backless emerald gown. Her hair was swept up, her posture perfect. She looked less like a former maid and more like a queen arriving to inspect her subjects.
Fiona and Arthur Greer were waiting near the champagne tower, looking smug.
"Daniel," Arthur boomed, holding a glass. "Bold of you to show up. And you brought the help."
Daniel didn't flinch. "Hello, Arthur. Fiona. I believe you've met my wife."
Fiona choked on her champagne. "Your what?"
"My wife," Daniel said smoothly. He pulled a thick manila envelope from his jacket and handed it directly to Arthur. "I'm afraid I have some bad news regarding our partnership. I'm pulling Ashworth funding from your Miami resort project, effective immediately."
Arthur turned red. "You can't do that! We have a contract! You pull out now, you're in breach! I'll have your board oust you tonight!"
"Check page four of the contract, Arthur," Marisol said, stepping forward, her voice ringing clear and authoritative. "The morality and safety clause. You bypassed the salinity tests on the concrete foundation for the seawall. The rebar is already corroding. One Category 3 hurricane, and that resort collapses into the ocean."
Arthur paled. "You don't know what you're talking about, you little—"
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"She’s a brilliant structural engineer, Arthur," Daniel interrupted, his eyes gleaming with deadly pride. "And she found your fraud. I’ve already forwarded her findings to the SEC and the Miami building commission. Your stock is going to hit zero by morning. I suggest you leave my gala and call your lawyers."
Fiona stared at Marisol in absolute horror, realizing she had completely underestimated the woman she had shoved. Defeated, humiliated, and facing financial ruin, the Greers turned and fled the ballroom.
