Chapter 2 - STREET THIEVES DON’T BELONG HEREI had entered through the staff door because the main entrance rejected my invitation.
Genevieve had flagged my name.
Security searched my bag.
Found old family letters.
Called them stolen property.
When I refused to surrender them, one guard grabbed me.
I fell against a service cart.
That caused the bruised cheek and scraped palms.
Genevieve arrived after hearing my name.
She knew who I was immediately.
Still, she called me a thief.
Public humiliation was not an impulsive mistake.
It was strategy.
If guests watched me removed in disgrace, any later inheritance claim would look like revenge.
Nathaniel ordered medical assistance.
“I can stand,” I said.
“You are bleeding.”
“Medical care first,” I agreed. “Announcements later.”
Genevieve stared at me.
“You planned this performance.”
“I asked for a private board meeting.”
“You came to my gala.”
“Because you ignored every legal notice.”
Nathaniel opened the leather folder.
Inside were the notices.
All received.
All signed by Genevieve’s office.
May you like
She had known I was coming.
She simply expected me to leave on my knees.
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