Chapter 16 - THE MERCER GALA
Richard disguised the emergency meeting as a charity gala.
Hundreds of donors filled the Mercer Grand Ballroom.
Politicians.
Doctors.
Board members.
Reporters.
People who had praised the Mercer family for decades.
I arrived wearing a simple black dress.
Luka walked beside me.
His tattoos were visible above his collar.
People moved out of his path without being asked.
My father entered separately with federal investigators.
Vanessa carried Hannah’s recording.
Mara carried the financial evidence.
And I carried the sealed DNA envelope.
Richard saw us immediately.
His expression remained calm.
“Claire.”
He kissed the air beside my cheek as if we were still family.
“You shouldn’t be here.”
“Neither should half the money in your accounts.”
His smile disappeared.
Luka almost laughed.
Richard looked at him.
“Moretti.”
“Mercer.”
The board meeting began at eight.
Richard stood beneath a giant screen and announced that Ethan had been removed from all executive duties.
Then he spoke about protecting Mercer Medical from “outside predators.”
He meant us.
When he asked for the vote transferring Ethan’s shares, Mara stood.
“The vote is challenged.”
Richard looked irritated.
“On what basis?”
“Fraud.”
Whispers spread through the ballroom.
Mara displayed the trust transfers.
Then Grace’s hospital records.
Then the security footage.
Richard tried to end the meeting.
Federal officers closed the doors.
My father stepped onto the stage.
For the first time in nine years, Richard Mercer saw Thomas Bennett alive.
The color drained from his face.
“You.”
Dad smiled faintly.
“Disappointed?”
Reporters surged toward the stage.
Richard’s attorneys began shouting.
Then Vanessa played Hannah’s recording.
Richard’s own voice filled the ballroom.
She gave you life.
I gave you a name.
The room exploded.
Richard lunged toward the control panel.
Luka stepped between them.
“Don’t.”
One word.
Richard stopped.
Then the ballroom doors opened again.
Ethan walked inside escorted by two federal agents.
He had been temporarily released under a cooperation agreement.
His face changed when he saw the envelope in my hand.
“No.”
Richard turned toward him.
“You idiot.”
Ethan ignored him.
He looked only at me.
“Claire.”
His voice shook.
“Please.”
It was the first time I had ever heard Ethan Mercer beg.
“Don’t open that envelope.”
I held it tighter.
“Why?”
Ethan’s eyes moved toward Luka.
“Because if you do, you won’t just destroy my father.”
He swallowed.
May you like
“You’ll destroy the Morettis too.”
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