Chapter 5 - The Heir of Vance Capital
Three weeks passed.
Mara’s health improved rapidly under the care of top private obstetricians and nutritionists.
She moved out of her cramped apartment in Queens and into Gabriel’s private estate in Gold Coast—a sprawling, historic stone mansion surrounded by high brick walls and private gardens.
For the first time in months, Mara didn faint from exhaustion, didn’t worry about rent, and didn’t have to answer to arrogant bosses.
Yet, adjusting to Gabriel’s world was not easy.
One evening, Gabriel hosted a private dinner at the estate for his executive board members and international legal partners.
Mara walked down the grand marble staircase wearing a dark emerald maternity gown, her hair elegant, the black onyx ring gleaming around her neck.
As she entered the dining room, several aristocratic women in designer dresses glanced at her with quiet, critical smiles.
“So this is the girl from the Hargrove Grand,” whispered Victoria Vance, Gabriel’s distant cousin and a senior shareholder in the firm. “A housekeeper... Gabriel really has lost his mind.”
Mara froze near the doorway, her confidence wobbling.
Before she could step back, a warm, strong hand rested securely against her lower back.
Gabriel stepped up beside her, wearing an immaculate black tuxedo.
He didn’t address his cousin directly. Instead, he raised his champagne glass, calling the entire room to order.
“Ladies and gentlemen,” Gabriel’s voice echoed through the grand dining hall with absolute authority. “I would like to make an official announcement regarding the restructuring of Vance Capital.”
The room went dead quiet.
“As of this morning,” Gabriel continued, looking down at Mara with warmth, “fifty-one percent of the voting shares in Vance Capital have been transferred into a permanent irrevocable trust.”
Victoria Vance’s face went pale. “Gabriel! That’s the controlling interest of the entire empire!”
“That trust,” Gabriel stated clearly, his eyes sweeping across the gathered elite, “is managed solely by Mara Ellis. And upon the birth of our child, it will belong to the heir of the Vance family.”
Gasps erupted across the dining room.
Victoria Vance looked as if she had been slapped across the face.
Mara looked up at Gabriel in absolute disbelief, her hand clutching his arm. “Gabriel... what are you doing? That’s billions of dollars...”
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Gabriel leaned down, whispering into her ear so only she could hear.
“They looked at you like you were a maid, Mara,” Gabriel murmured softly. “I just reminded them that you own everything they walk on.”
