Chapter 9 - The Ballroom Lockdown
Investigator Ramirez asked hotel security to close the ballroom doors.
Guests began whispering.
Jason raised his voice.
“You cannot detain us.”
“No one is detained,” Ramirez said. “You are free to leave after providing identification.”
Evelyn tried to slip toward a side exit.
Two board members blocked her path.
Helen opened the trust documents.
She explained that Isabella now controlled the Fairmont trust after Noah’s birth.
The ballroom, hotel operating company, and a controlling stake in Cross Hospitality fell under her authority.
Jason looked at Andrew Keller.
“You told me the shares were secure.”
Andrew backed away.
“I relied on your mother’s documents.”
Helen raised another folder.
“Those documents are under investigation for forgery.”
Evelyn’s face hardened.
“This is absurd. Margaret abandoned the company.”
Margaret stood with assistance.
“I resigned from management.”
She looked directly at Evelyn.
“I never surrendered ownership.”
The room erupted.
Jason grabbed Isabella’s arm.
“You planned this.”
She pulled free.
“You planned to have me declared incompetent.”
His fingers loosened.
Several guests heard him.
Ramirez stepped closer.
“Mr. Cross, do not touch her again.”
Noah cried softly.
Isabella lifted him from the nurse.
Jason stared at the baby as if Noah had betrayed him too.
“What did you do?” he asked.
Isabella answered calmly.
May you like
“I read what you hid.”
👉 Jason’s control began collapsing in public—but Evelyn still believed one forged medical report could take Isabella’s power away.
