Full Story : He Lied To His Fiancée About Owning The Lodge, Right Before The True CEO Fired Him!

Chapter 8 - The Gala of Truth

The blizzard had fully cleared, and the mountain roads were open. The police were on their way, but they were still hours out. I couldn't wait. Thomas was packing his bags; I had been informed by security that he had ordered a private helicopter to the helipad on the north ridge. He was going to run.

I had to stop him publicly, to ensure he could never show his face in polite society or the corporate world again.

That evening, the delayed Winter Gala was finally taking place. The ballroom was packed with investors, local politicians, and high society. Thomas walked into the room in a pristine white tuxedo, acting as if he still owned the world. He smiled, shaking hands, playing the victim of a "family misunderstanding."

I walked down the grand staircase, wearing a floor-length gown of midnight blue silk. The room fell silent as I descended. Alexander stood at the bottom of the stairs, looking at me with an intensity that made my breath catch. He offered me his arm, and I took it.

We walked to the center of the ballroom. Thomas saw me and his smile tightened. He grabbed a microphone from the bandstand.

"Ladies and gentlemen," Thomas announced, trying to preempt whatever I was planning. "It’s been a turbulent few days, but I assure you, Alpine Lodge is secure under my continued guidance—"

"Cut his mic," I said into my earpiece.

The audio system died. Thomas tapped the microphone, frustrated.

I stepped up to the grand piano and picked up a second microphone. "Good evening, everyone," my voice echoed clearly through the massive room. "My uncle Thomas is right. It has been a turbulent few days. Because for the last two years, he has been systematically robbing this company, its employees, and you—the investors."

Gasps erupted from the crowd. Thomas turned purple. "This is slander! Someone get her out of here!"

I raised my hand, holding up a small USB drive. "I have here the complete routing history of three million dollars embezzled by Thomas Sterling into a Cayman Islands shell company. I have already emailed these documents to the FBI, the SEC, and the local authorities."

"You little brat!" Thomas roared, dropping all pretense. He lunged toward me, his fists clenched.

Before he could take three steps, Alexander stepped smoothly in front of me, shielding me entirely. He didn't raise his voice, but the deadly calm in his posture stopped Thomas dead in his tracks.