Chapter 4 - The Paralyzed Queen Speaks
"You can't do this!" Graham yelled, finally breaking out of his stupor. He ran toward Evelyn. "I am Graham Whitaker! My company is worth billions!"
Evelyn pulled a single sheet of paper from her briefcase.
"Your company, Graham?" she mocked. "You mean the company you pledged as collateral to the Ardell family to secure your seat on their board? The same collateral that is now being liquidated to pay off the massive debts I just bought?"
Graham stumbled backward. "No. No, I signed a prenup. Savannah's money protects me."
Evelyn smiled. "Savannah has no money. As of three minutes ago, Ardell Real Estate stock has plummeted by 80%. They are insolvent. And because you tied your assets to theirs, so are you. You are bankrupt, Graham. Penniless."
The room spun into absolute hysteria. Guests were rushing toward the doors, only to find Marcus's security team blocking every exit. Nobody was leaving this sinking ship until the rats were exposed.
A medic from Marcus’s team had quietly approached my side. She gently applied burn gel to my thighs, wrapping my skin in cool, sterile bandages. She reattached a fresh feeding tube with tender care.
I felt a surge of strength. The rage and adrenaline were doing something to my damaged nervous system. A spark, deep in my brain, forced its way through the damaged pathways.
For eighteen months, I had been completely mute.
I looked at Graham, who was now on his knees in front of Evelyn, begging her to stop the liquidation.
I focused every ounce of my willpower. Every late night of agonizing physical therapy that I did in secret. Every tear I shed when I realized my husband had left me for dead.
My jaw trembled. My throat constricted.
The microphone was still on the stand near Evelyn.
I tapped my armrest. One short tap. Marcus immediately understood. He brought the microphone to my lips.
The entire room fell dead silent, waiting to see what the broken woman would do.
May you like
I took a rattling breath, my vocal cords grinding like rusted gears.
"Check..." I croaked, the sound echoing through the ballroom. The voice was raspy, demonic, and utterly terrifying. "Check... mate."
