Chapter 2: A Father's Judgment

Five minutes later, the ballroom doors opened again.

No announcement was necessary.

Everyone recognized him immediately.

Richard Ashford.

The billionaire founder of Ashford Global Holdings.

The man newspapers called the most influential businessman in the country.

Entire governments negotiated with him.

Stock markets reacted to his decisions.

Yet the moment he entered the ballroom...

His eyes looked only at me.

He noticed the bruise beneath my eye.

The blood on my lip.

The torn sleeve of my gown.

His face hardened.

"Dad," I said softly.

He gently touched my cheek.

"Did he do this?"

"Yes."

Richard slowly turned toward the young man.

"What is your name?"

The man straightened his jacket.

"Damien Cole."

"My father is Victor Cole."

"I suggest you think carefully before threatening me."

Richard nodded once.

"I know Victor."

He removed his phone and made one call.

"Cancel every Ashford contract with Cole Industries."

"Terminate all credit facilities."

"Withdraw every investment."

"Effective immediately."

Silence.

Then another sentence.

"And inform the banks."

The call lasted less than thirty seconds.

Damien laughed nervously.

"You can't destroy a billion-dollar company with one phone call."

Richard looked at him calmly.

"No."

"I already did."

Almost instantly Damien's phone vibrated.

Then again.

And again.

His assistant.

His lawyers.

His finance director.

His father.

His face turned pale as he answered.

"What do you mean the banks froze everything?"

"What do you mean investors are leaving?"

"What do you mean the board wants my resignation?"

Across the ballroom, guests quietly checked the financial news on their own phones.

Cole Industries' stock was collapsing.

Live.

Right before their eyes.