The tyrant who had wished me dead was gone. In his place sat a trembling old man slumping into a chair, his own greed finally devouring him. Malik had fallen to his knees, trying to gather the shards of the broken bottle with clumsy, shaking hands.

The prince had fallen.

I stepped back to the microphone. The room went quiet at once. They were not looking at the family outcast anymore.

They were looking at the boss.

“The party is over,” I said.

My voice was calm now. I didn’t need rage anymore.

“And the reign of greed is over. Beginning tomorrow morning, Vaughn Holdings will undergo a full federal audit. Every dollar stolen from the pension fund will be returned, even if I have to liquidate this entire estate to do it.”

Then I turned to the security team.

“Escort the former CEO and his son off my property.”

Calvin lurched to his feet and pointed a shaking finger at the men in black suits. “Arrest her! I pay your salaries. I pay for your protection. Throw her and that old lawyer out into the street.”

The ballroom went still again.

Four large men in tactical black stepped away from the walls and moved toward the stage.

Money versus paper.

I did not reach for a weapon.