Chapter 4 - Shadows of the Board
Morning arrived in a burst of cold, brilliant sunlight that reflected off the icy surface of Lake Michigan and streamed through the floor-to-ceiling windows of Penthouse 904.
When I woke up, the aroma of freshly baked cinnamon rolls and hot cocoa was already drifting through the suite. I walked out of the master bedroom to find Lily sitting cross-legged on the plush sofa, wearing a clean pink sweater and matching leggings that Lupita had kindly washed and pressed for her overnight. Barnaby the rabbit was sitting comfortably in her lap, and she was happily sipping cocoa while watching cartoons on the large flat-screen television.
Lupita was quietly setting a silver breakfast tray on the dining table. When she saw me, her face lit up with a warm smile.
"Good morning, sleepyhead," Lupita greeted warmly. "Your sister woke up an hour ago full of energy."
"Ethan!" Lily squealed, setting her mug down and running across the carpet to wrap her arms around my waist. "Look! The rain stopped! And look at Mom's roses—they bloomed!"
I looked over at the mantlepiece. The red roses, resting in their crystal vase beside Mom's picture, had opened up in the warmth of the suite overnight, their deep crimson petals vibrant and fresh under the morning sun.
"They look beautiful, Lily bug," I smiled, leaning down to scoop her up in a warm hug.
After breakfast, a soft knock echoed at the penthouse door. I opened it to find Arthur Pendelton standing in the hallway, carrying a heavy garment bag over his arm and holding a sleek leather folder.
"Good morning, Ethan, Lily," Arthur said, stepping inside. "I brought something from the hotel's executive wardrobe department."
He unzipped the garment bag to reveal a tailored black suit, a crisp white dress shirt, a dark silk tie, and a pair of polished black leather shoes—all sized perfectly for a thirteen-year-old boy. Beside it was a small, delicate yellow sundress for Lily.
"The Board of Directors meeting commences in precisely forty-five minutes in the Executive Suite on the third floor," Arthur explained, his tone serious and attentive. "Marcus Vance has already called the session to order to review the annual financial reports and the upcoming expansion into the European market."
I looked at the black suit, feeling the smooth fabric beneath my fingers. It looked like the suits my father used to wear when he prepared for high-stakes corporate negotiations.
"Thank you, Arthur," I said. "Is Marcus expecting me?"
Arthur hesitated, a subtle flick of tension passing over his eyes. "Marcus knows you arrived in Chicago, but he assumes you are resting in the penthouse until the evening charity gala. He does not know you plan to enter the board session."
"Good," I replied quietly.
Twenty minutes later, I stood in front of the full-length mirror in the master bedroom. The tailored jacket fit my shoulders perfectly, the dark silk tie was pulled neat and tight against my collar, and my scuffed sneakers had been replaced by gleaming leather shoes. I looked older. I looked like a Vance.
Beside me, Lily smoothed down the skirts of her yellow dress, holding my hand tightly.
"Are we going to see Mom's hotel now?" Lily asked softly, her wide hazel eyes looking up at me.
"Yes, Lily bug," I answered, kneeling down so I was eye-level with her. "We're going to remind everyone who this hotel really belongs to."
We left the penthouse accompanied by Arthur and Lupita, who had volunteered to watch Lily outside the conference room if the meeting became intense. As the private elevator descended to the third floor, the quiet atmosphere of the residential tower gave way to the energetic hum of corporate activity.
The third-floor hallway was lined with polished brass fixtures, historic photographs of Vance Hospitality properties, and sleek marble trim. Standing outside the heavy double mahogany doors of the Grand Executive Boardroom were two security guards in dark suits.
Inside, through the frosted glass panels, I could hear the deep, commanding voice of Marcus Vance addressing the board.
Marcus was my father's younger half-brother. After my mother died, the court had appointed Marcus as the temporary corporate trustee of the family trust until I reached eighteen. For three years, Marcus had managed the day-to-day business from the corporate headquarters in New York. He was sharp, ambitious, and obsessed with profit margins and market expansion. But over the last year, I had noticed a shift in how the company operated—more focus on cutting operational costs, fewer employee benefits, and an increasing coldness in how the properties were managed.
"Marcus is currently presenting the Q3 financial performance report," Arthur whispered to me as we approached the boardroom doors. "He is proposing a corporate restructuring plan that includes cutting ten percent of front-line staff across all seven properties to increase dividend yields for investors."
I looked at Lupita, who stood quietly beside Lily. Staff like Lupita—the heart and soul of the hotel—were the ones who would suffer under Marcus's cost-cutting cuts.
I took a deep, steadying breath, adjusting the cuffs of my suit jacket.
May you like
"Arthur," I said firmly. "Open the doors."
The security guards looked to Arthur, who nodded once with absolute authority. One of the guards stepped forward, placed his hand on the brass handle, and pushed the heavy mahogany doors wide open.
