Chapter 2 - The Falling Empire
In the sprawling penthouse overlooking the Charles River, Marcus Marquetti paced the floor so violently he looked like a caged beast. His hair, usually dyed a perfect silver, was disheveled. Across from him sat his daughter, Celeste, her face pale, the stained ivory silk dress still clinging to her like a badge of shame.
"You slapped a waitress," Marcus repeated, his voice dangerously low. "You walked into the den of the most ruthless financier in New England—a man who holds eighty percent of our secondary debt—and you assaulted a pregnant waitress."
"She spilled wine on me, Dad! She was clumsy!" Celeste hissed, though the tremble in her hands betrayed her bravado. "How was I supposed to know Damon Calas had some twisted, sentimental attachment to the help? He’s a monster! He had his thugs throw me out into the street like a common streetwalker!"
"That 'help' just cost us our entire legacy," Marcus roared, slamming his fist onto a glass coffee table, sending crystal coasters flying. "Look at your phone, Celeste! Look at the news!"
Celeste grabbed her purse, her manicured fingers trembling as she pulled out her screen.
Boston Financial Chronicle: Marquetti Hospitality Group Shares Plunge 42% in After-Hours Trading Following Rumors of Major Creditor Default.
The Daily Herald: Damon Calas Withdraws All Capital from Boston Harbor Redevelopment Project; Cites 'Ethical Breaches' by Marquetti Partners.
"He's freezing us out," Marcus whispered, sinking into a chair, looking suddenly twenty years older. "Every bank we owe money to is calling. The notes are being accelerated. If Calas doesn't sign the bailout agreement by Friday, we are bankrupt. We will lose the hotels, the penthouse, the name. Everything."
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Celeste stared at the screen, the reality of her vanity finally crashing down around her. "There has to be a way to fix it. He’s a man, Dad. Everyone has a price. Or a weakness."
Marcus looked up, a dark, desperate glint entering his eyes. "The waitress. Damon Calas doesn't care about people. He doesn't have friends; he has assets. For him to ruin a multi-million dollar merger over a girl means she isn't just staff. Find out who she is. Find out why a billionaire kingpin is willing to burn Boston to the ground for a pregnant girl with dirt under her fingernails."
