Chapter 4 - The Missing Signature
By midnight, the gala had become an investigation.
No one had been seriously injured.
That was the only good news.
The bad news arrived in a conference room on the hotel’s twenty-third floor.
Tessa sat across from Silas while investigators reviewed construction records.
A hotel attorney entered carrying a tablet.
“We found something.”
Silas leaned back.
“Show me.”
The attorney placed the tablet down.
“Replacement authorization for the west mezzanine brackets.”
Tessa examined it.
Her name appeared at the bottom.
Tessa Nolan — Project Design Lead.
She stared at the signature.
“That isn't mine.”
Silas’s expression went flat.
“You're certain?”
“I don't sign Tessa Nolan.”
The attorney frowned.
“What?”
“My legal signature is Theresa M. Nolan.”
Silas looked at the attorney.
“Who submitted it?”
“We're tracing that.”
Tessa already knew.
“Victor.”
The door opened.
Victor walked in with two attorneys.
“I was told there were questions.”
Silas pushed the tablet across the table.
Victor looked at it.
“Routine authorization.”
“Her signature is forged.”
Victor’s face remained still.
“I wouldn't know.”
Tessa leaned forward.
“You canceled the bracket replacement.”
“I did no such thing.”
“You wanted the ballroom open before the donor gala.”
“We all did.”
“You told me we couldn't afford another delay.”
Victor shrugged.
“That proves nothing.”
Silas spoke.
“Three people heard you.”
Victor's attorneys exchanged looks.
Victor turned toward Tessa.
“You think he cares about you?”
The room went silent.
Tessa stared at him.
Victor laughed bitterly.
“You think Silas Maddox crossed that ballroom because he's some kind of hero?”
“Stop talking,” one attorney whispered.
Victor ignored him.
“He buys people, Tessa. Companies. Buildings. Loyalty.”
Silas showed no reaction.
Victor pointed at the employment offer.
“He didn't rescue you. He acquired you.”
Tessa slowly stood.
Silas remained silent.
That surprised her.
He wasn't defending himself.
He was letting her decide.
She looked at Victor.
“For three years, you put your name on my work.”
Victor scoffed.
“I gave you opportunities.”
“You gave me your workload.”
“I made your career.”
“No.”
Tessa picked up the tablet.
“I made yours.”
Victor's face tightened.
Tessa placed it before the investigators.
“And I'm done helping you protect it.”
Victor looked at Silas.
“This isn't finished.”
Silas finally stood.
“Yes, it is.”
Victor left with his attorneys.
The door closed.
Tessa turned toward Silas.
“Was he right?”
“About?”
“Acquiring people.”
Silas considered the question.
“Sometimes.”
“That isn't comforting.”
“It wasn't meant to be.”
She folded her arms.
“Why did you really offer me the job?”
“Because you're good.”
“That's it?”
“No.”
Silas walked toward the window.
“I watched you argue with engineers twice your age and win because you knew the numbers better.”
Tessa said nothing.
“I watched you stay until four in the morning when the plumbing subcontractor disappeared.”
“You were here?”
“Upstairs.”
“You never introduced yourself.”
“You didn't know who I was.”
“Apparently nobody did.”
“That was intentional.”
She studied him.
“And you liked watching people when they thought you didn't matter.”
“Yes.”
“That sounds slightly terrifying.”
“I've been called worse.”
Tessa almost smiled.
Then she looked at the contract.
“I’m not accepting tonight.”
“I didn't expect you to.”
“I want my own team.”
“Fine.”
“Design credit stays attached to the designers.”
“Yes.”
“No stealing junior employees' work.”
“Agreed.”
“And if I tell you something is structurally unsafe, you don't ask what it costs.”
Silas met her eyes.
“I ask how quickly we fix it.”
Tessa nodded.
“Better.”
Silas moved toward the door.
“Anything else?”
“Yes.”
He stopped.
She pointed toward his cuff.
“Your tattoo has been distracting half the ballroom.”
Silas looked down at the black ink across his wrist.
“Only half?”
May you like
For the first time that night, Tessa laughed.
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