Chapter 1 - HOW ARE YOU STANDING?
Evelyn Merrick collapsed in front of the people who had helped her build an empire.
One moment she stood beneath the chandeliers of Chicago’s Halcyon Ballroom, listening to a director praise Merrick Environmental Systems’ best year in a decade. The next, her knees struck polished marble.
Her lungs seemed to close.
She reached toward the gala table, searching for support among crystal glasses and white roses.
Her daughter caught her wrist.
Vanessa Merrick looked radiant in a sparkling silver gown. She also looked completely unsurprised.
She lifted Evelyn’s champagne glass and threw its contents directly into her mother’s face.
Cold champagne ran over Evelyn’s closed eyes, diamond earrings, and fitted black dress.
“Look at you.”
The board members stared. No one moved.
Vanessa forced Evelyn’s arms down. She leaned close enough that her perfume cut through the smell of champagne.
“The CEO seat is mine.”
Evelyn struggled for breath.
Vanessa smiled into her face.
“You’re finished.”
Several directors looked away. They had admired Evelyn in annual reports, praised her at dinners, and accepted her bonuses. Now they watched her daughter humiliate her on the floor because none of them knew which Merrick would control the company by morning.
Vanessa stood and turned toward Chairman Roland Pike.
“Lock the doors.”
Roland’s gray hand hovered above the ballroom control panel.
Then he pressed the button.
Metal bolts engaged inside every exit.
Directors twisted in their chairs. One elderly man rose so quickly his champagne overturned.
“What are you doing?” he demanded.
Vanessa smiled.
A soft hiss began above them.
Light mist gathered near the ceiling vents, spreading beneath the chandeliers in pale ribbons.
Panic moved faster than the haze.
Board members rushed toward the locked doors. Some pounded the wood. Others shouted into phones that showed no signal.
“Open the doors!” a woman screamed.
Vanessa stood in the center of the chaos, triumphant.
Behind her, Evelyn remained motionless on the marble.
At last, Vanessa turned toward her mother.
“Finally.”
Evelyn placed one hand firmly on the floor.
Vanessa’s smile weakened.
Slowly, Evelyn rose. She straightened her black dress. Her breathing became even and controlled. Then she wiped the champagne from her face with the back of one hand.
May you like
Vanessa took a step backward.
“How are you standing?”
