Chapter 3 - The Ghost of Brooks Holdings
Nathan’s eyes widened slightly as he stared at the embossed wax seal. He recognized the crest instantly—it was the global parent company that owned eighty percent of the commercial real estate in the tri-state area.
The Ashford Group had been desperately trying to secure a fifty-million-dollar credit line from Brooks Holdings for the past six months to save their failing developments.
Nathan stammered, his face turning pale. “Ms... Brooks?”
Eleanor marched over, her silver sequined gown swishing aggressively against the floorboards. She grabbed Nathan’s arm, glaring at Evelyn with disdain.
“Nathan, what are you doing lingering near the servants' entrance? And who is this insolent waiter?” Eleanor snapped, pointing a manicured finger at the tray. “Evelyn, take your folder and go wait in the car. You’re embarrassing us in front of the board members!”
The surrounding wedding and gala guests began to whisper loudly.
“Is that the owner of Brooks Holdings?”
“I thought the CEO was an anonymous heir!”
“Why is she standing by the kitchen?”
Eleanor gasped in total shock, her jaw dropping as the surrounding whispers reached a deafening hum. Her hand trembled against Nathan’s sleeve.
“She... she owns the holdings...?” Eleanor whispered, her voice shaking violently.
Evelyn slowly reached out her gloved hand, lifting the confidential brown folder from the silver tray. She broke the red wax seal with a clean, deliberate snap.
She looked up at Nathan and Eleanor with calm, dignified composure.
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“You thought I came from nothing,” Evelyn said, her quiet, cold tone cutting through the room like a razor.
👉 She pulled out a single sheet of parchment, exposing the Ashford Group’s emergency loan application stamped in red ink: REJECTED.
