PART 2: THE NAME THAT NO LONGER BELONGED TO HIM
PART 2: THE NAME THAT NO LONGER BELONGED TO HIM
Marcus raised his hand.
The orchestra stopped mid-note.
The silence hit like a physical force.
Julian’s smile finally faltered.
“Why did the music stop?” he asked, turning slightly toward the staff.
Still no answer.
I walked toward the center of the ballroom.
Every step echoed.
Slow.
Controlled.
Intentional.
Bella shifted uncomfortably.
Julian straightened.
Trying to regain control of the room.
“Lakota, whatever this is—don’t embarrass yourself—”
I interrupted gently.
“You’ve spent a long time thinking this building belonged to you.”
A few guests glanced at each other.
Something in my tone changed the air.
Julian laughed once.
“This does belong to me. I built my empire here.”
I tilted my head.
“No.”
A pause.
“You built it on paperwork you never read.”
The first whisper spread through the room.
Julian’s smile tightened.
“Excuse me?”
Marcus opened a tablet on the side stage.
And turned it toward the audience.
The Stratford Regency Holdings ownership ledger.
Updated.
Stamped.
Verified.
A new name at the top.
Not his.
Mine.
The room shifted instantly.
Phones came out.
Whispers grew louder.
Bella stepped back from Julian for the first time.
“What is this?” Julian demanded.
I looked at him calmly.
“You’re standing in a building that changed ownership at 4:48 PM today.”
Silence.
Then—
“You’re lying,” Julian snapped.
But his voice cracked slightly.
Because he could feel it now.
May you like
The shift.
The loss of gravity.
