Chapter 2 – The Provision
Chapter 2 – The Provision
Three minutes after Evelyn ended the call, every phone in the conservatory vibrated at once.
Board members frowned as they glanced at their screens.
One by one, their expressions changed.
Confusion.
Then disbelief.
Then panic.
Grant pulled his own phone from the inside pocket of his tuxedo. The confidence he'd worn all evening vanished as he read the message.
EMERGENCY BOARD RESOLUTION
Effective immediately, all Mercer family sponsorship agreements with the Shawbridge Foundation have been suspended pending an internal ethics review.
His jaw tightened.
"What is this?"
Evelyn slipped her phone back into her purse.
"It's accountability."
Grant laughed, but the sound lacked conviction.
"My family practically built this foundation."
"You funded part of it," Evelyn corrected. "You never owned it."
She turned toward the guests gathered around the tables.
"Several months ago, the Foundation's board quietly adopted a conduct policy. Any donor or trustee accused of abusing staff during a Foundation event may have their privileges suspended immediately while evidence is reviewed."
Grant stared at her.
"You wrote that policy."
"I did."
"And tonight," she continued, "you became the first person it has ever been used against."
The room fell silent.
No one reached for another glass of champagne.
No one smiled.
May you like
Even Celeste lowered her eyes.
For the first time in years, the Mercer name failed to silence a room.
