Shattered Mask

CHAPTER 9

THE MUCH AWAITED HEIR

Inside the ballroom, the air was thick with the scent of lilies and expensive champagne.

Crystal chandeliers cast a warm glow over the city’s elite, but Linda, Robert and Leslie were not interested in the dancing.

They moved through the crowd like heat-seeking missiles until they spotted him: Martin Harnes, the Chief Legal Counsel and right-hand man to the Rothwell heir.

He was standing near the edge of the stage, checking his watch, looking every bit the iron-willed gatekeeper.

"Mr Harnes!" Linda called out, smoothing her dress and putting on her most persuasive smile.

He turned to look in their direction.

"A moment of your time? It is a matter of extreme urgency for the Rothwell reputation." Linda said

Harnes turned, his expression as cold as a marble statue.

"Mrs Smith. Mr Williams. I believe my office sent you several very clear emails regarding your terminated contracts. That includes your absence from private functions like this. Why are you here?" He asked them

"We are here to help you, Mr Harnes," Robert said, stepping forward with a whisper.

"We have information that could save the chairman from a massive scandal. Information that would surely earn a man in your position a significant raise and a lot more respect"

Harnes raised a sceptical eyebrow. "Is that so? What information do you have for me" He feigned great interest in what this trio in front of him had to say to him.

"Your lead driver ... the one out in the VIP bay right now ... is a fraud," Leslie added, her eyes flashing with spite.

"Lead driver? We have two of them? Which one of the lead drivers are you talking about?” Harnes asked them

"His name is Jack. He is a low-level repairman who somehow swindled his way into your motor pool.

Not only is he incompetent ... he just crashed the Chairman’s Rolls-Royce into my fiancé’s car and then had the audacity to threaten us" Leslie said with all seriousness written on her face.

"He is leaking company information, too," Linda chimed in.

"He knew about my contract denial before I did, and he also spoke about Robert’s contract termination before you called him.

He is a liability, Mr Harnes. If you reinstate Robert as CEO and push my catering contract through, we will sign a non-disclosure agreement.

We will make this 'Jack' problem disappear quietly before the new boss finds out how poorly his staff is being vetted." Linda said, trying to hide the excitement in her voice

Harnes looked from Linda to Robert and then to Leslie, his face unreadable.

"You want me to reinstate a terminated CEO and a rejected vendor... because of a parking lot dispute with a driver? How does that even make sense"

"It is about loyalty, Martin," Robert said, attempting to clap Harnes on the shoulder.

Harnes stepped back subtly, avoiding the contact.

"We are the kind of people the Rothwells should be doing business with. Not thugs in uniforms. Like that thief in the garage as we speak"

Harnes sighed, a sound that bordered on pity.

"I think you misunderstand my position. I have no power to reinstate you. My job is to execute the will of the heir. If the heir says you are out, you are out. There is nothing I can do to help any of you in any way"

"But you are his closest advisor" Linda hissed, her desperation beginning to leak through her polished exterior.

"Just put the papers in front of him. Tell him we are essential. He is new to the city; he doesn't know who the real players are yet. He needs us."

"I am telling you this, you can not buy me off," Harnes said, his voice dropping to a low, warning tone,

"The person who made the decision to fire you is the only person who can reverse it. And I highly doubt he is in a mood for mercy tonight."

"Please, Mr Harnes," Leslie pleaded, clutching his arm.

"At least bring us to him. Let us make our case. We will do anything."

Before Harnes could respond, the lights in the ballroom dimmed. A spotlight swung toward the centre of the stage, and the Master of Ceremonies stepped up to the microphone, his voice booming through the speakers.

"Ladies and gentlemen, distinguished guests," the MC announced.

"The moment you have all been waiting for has arrived. Tonight, we celebrate a new era for Rothwell Industries.

It is my distinct honour to introduce the man who will lead us into the future ... the sole heir to the Rothwell estate."

The Smiths froze, their hearts racing.

"This is it," Linda whispered, her eyes wide with greedy anticipation.

"Robert, get ready. As soon as he steps off that stage, we intercept him. We will show him the photos of the 'driver' and the damage. We will show him we are the only ones he can trust." Linda whispered to Robert who nodded in the affirmative

"He is coming out," Leslie breathed, clutching her pearls. "The man who holds our entire future in his hands."

The grand velvet curtains began to part, and the room fell into a hushed, expectant silence.