Chapter 9 - THE UNEXPECTED VISITOR
Just as Victor was about to speak, the heavy oak doors of the dining hall were opened by Marcus Vance, who was now serving as the director of global security for the Blackwood Foundation.
"Boss," Marcus said, his face unusually stern. "We have a visitor at the main gate."
Victor frowned slightly. "Unannounced? The press knows we don't hold interviews at the estate."
"It isn't the press, sir," Marcus replied, holding up a sleek black business card with silver lettering. "It’s Arthur Vane. The chairman of the Sterling-Vane Consortium."
Victor’s eyes narrowed. Sterling-Vane had been the corporate rival that Julian was secretly leaking information to. Although Richard Sterling had been arrested for his involvement in Victoria’s murder, the Consortium itself had claimed complete ignorance of Julian's corporate espionage, blaming everything on rogue actors.
"Send him to the library," Victor ordered, standing up.
"He requested to meet in the dining room, sir," Marcus said cautiously. "He said... he wanted to pay his respects to the room where history was made."
Emma stood up beside Victor. "He’s testing us."
"Let him try," Victor said coldly. "Marcus, show Mr. Vane in."
A minute later, Arthur Vane walked into the room. He was a man in his late sixties, impeccably tailored in a double-breasted navy suit, carrying a gold-topped walking cane. His silver hair was brushed back smoothly, and his blue eyes were sharp, calculating, and completely devoid of warmth.
"Victor," Vane said, his voice smooth and resonant like aged bourbon. "And Miss Lawson. It is a pleasure to finally meet the legendary pair in person."
"Mr. Vane," Victor said, making no move to offer his hand. "To what do we owe the honor of this intrusion?"
Vane smiled faintly, leaning both hands on his walking cane as he looked around the dining hall. "Intrusion is such a vulgar word, my boy. I came to offer my formal condolences for the tragic revelations regarding your mother, and to discuss the future of the Port Royal development project."
"The Port Royal contract was awarded to the Blackwood Foundation yesterday morning," Emma pointed out firmly. "Your consortium's bid was disqualified due to compliance violations."
Vane turned his sharp gaze toward Emma, analyzing her with quiet intrigue. "Ah, Miss Lawson. The maid who turned out to be a heiress. A truly remarkable story. But you see, corporate law is a complicated arena. The disqualification of our bid is currently under appeal in the High Court."
"On what grounds?" Victor asked coldly.
"On the grounds that the information provided to us by your late father and Richard Sterling twelve years ago gave your foundation an unfair historical advantage," Vane said smoothly.
May you like
Victor took a deliberate step toward the older man. "Are you threatening me, Vane?"
"Not at all, Victor," Vane murmured, his voice dropping into a dangerous whisper. "I am simply reminding you that your mother wasn't the only person who discovered what was happening behind the scenes twelve years ago. Your father took loans from many people to build this empire. And some of those debts... are still outstanding."
