Little did Adrian know, his future was about to crash down around his ears.
Suddenly, the heavy, gilded doors at the main entrance of the ballroom slammed open. The booming sound echoed off the high ceilings, cutting through the classical violin music and bringing every conversation in the hall to an abrupt halt. The security guards at the door immediately stood at rigid attention, bowing their heads in deep respect—a gesture they had not performed for anyone else all evening, not even the regional directors. 
A hush fell over the entire room as Harrison Blackwood stepped through the entrance first. The senior executives instantly recognized Harrison; he was the feared, legendary figure who reported directly to the mysterious, anonymous owner of Vanguard Dominion. But Harrison did not walk to the stage. Instead, he stepped aside and extended a respectful hand toward the corridor.
