Chapter 4 - The House of Cards
Trevor strutted into the offices of Bancroft & Hales, feeling like he owned the world. Yesterday’s bizarre encounter at the galleria had left him uneasy for a few hours, but he had rationalized it. Sadi must be sleeping with some rich old store owner. That was the only explanation. She was a gold-digger now. The thought made him sneer.
He poured himself a cup of artisan coffee in the breakroom, winking at the junior paralegal. He was on the fast track to junior partner. He was engaged to Chloe Bancroft, the senior partner's daughter. He was invincible.
“Trevor. My office. Now.”
Trevor blinked, turning to see Arthur Bancroft, his future father-in-law, standing in the doorway. Arthur’s face was ashen, his tie slightly askew. He looked like he had aged ten years overnight.
“Sure thing, Arthur,” Trevor smiled, following the older man down the hall. “Is this about the merger?”
Arthur didn't speak until the heavy oak door clicked shut behind them. He turned around, his eyes blazing with a mixture of terror and fury. “What did you do?”
“Excuse me?” Trevor frowned.
“What. Did. You. Do!” Arthur slammed his fists onto his mahogany desk. “I just got a call from Vanguard Holdings. They pulled their entire account. Every single subsidiary. And then they called our three biggest corporate clients and threatened to sever all supply lines if they didn't drop us.”
Trevor’s stomach plummeted. Vanguard Holdings was the lifeblood of the firm. “I… I don't understand. Why would they do that?”
“Because,” Arthur hissed, his voice trembling, “the CEO of Vanguard’s parent company personally called me ten minutes ago. A man who does not make phone calls. He told me that one of my associates assaulted his wife in a shopping mall yesterday.”
Trevor felt the blood drain from his face. The room started to spin. Assaulted his wife. Yesterday. The galleria.
“No,” Trevor whispered, backing away. “No, that’s a mistake. The only person I bumped into was Sadi. My ex. She’s nobody. She’s trash.”
Arthur stared at him, the color leaving his face entirely. “Sadi? Dark hair? Pale skin?”
“Yes! She used to wash dishes, Arthur! It’s a misunderstanding!”
Arthur sank into his leather chair, looking at Trevor as if he were looking at a dead man. “You colossal, arrogant idiot. Vanguard’s parent company is owned by Roman Blackwood. The Ghost.” Arthur rubbed his face with trembling hands. “You kicked Roman Blackwood’s wife.”
Trevor couldn't breathe. Roman Blackwood. The name was a myth, a legend whispered among the elite. He owned half the real estate in the city. He crushed politicians for sport. He was untouchable.
“Arthur, please, we can fix this. I’ll apologize—”
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“You’re fired, Trevor,” Arthur said coldly, pressing a button on his intercom. “Security is coming to escort you out. Chloe is breaking the engagement. Her things are already being moved out of your apartment. You are completely toxic. If you ever contact my daughter or step foot near this firm again, I will personally throw you to the wolves.”
Trevor stood paralyzed as two large security guards entered the office. His perfect, manicured life was disintegrating in real-time.
