Two board members from Holt & Aster Holdings stood near the windows.
The company’s general counsel, who had attended as Ethan’s uncle, was already photographing the letters and their office stamps.
Vivian saw him and stiffened.
“Those documents are private family property.”
The attorney lowered his phone.
“They appear to involve company personnel, executive-office resources, and possible mail interference.
They need to be preserved.”
“You work for my son.”
“I work for the corporation.”
That distinction landed heavily.
Grayson looked at his head of security.
“No one removes anything from this table.
Make copies of every document with Ms.
Brooks’s permission.
Preserve the office access logs from the dates on those envelopes.”
Samara’s eyes narrowed.
“My attorney gets copies first.”
“Agreed.”
“And nothing leaves my possession without a written receipt.”
“Agreed.”
Vivian laughed bitterly.
“Now she has you taking orders.”
Grayson faced her.
“She is protecting herself because this family taught her she had to.”
For a moment, Vivian’s composure cracked.
“You will regret choosing a stranger over your mother.”
Samara flinched, but Grayson did not.
“She is not a stranger.
You made her one.”
He signaled security.
“Escort Mrs.
Holt to her car.
She is not to enter any Holt office, residence, or company facility until counsel completes an investigation.
Disable her executive credentials immediately.”
Vivian stared at him as though he had struck her.
“Grayson.”
“Go.”
Two security officers approached.
She looked around the ballroom, perhaps waiting for someone to defend her.
No one did.
As she passed Samara, Vivian whispered, “This will not make him love you.”
Samara met her gaze.
“I didn’t come for his love.
I came so my children would never grow up believing I kept their father from them.”
Vivian was escorted through the same doorway Samara had entered minutes earlier.
The room remained silent until Claire handed Noelle back to her mother.
Then Claire turned to the guests.
“My wedding reception is taking a brief pause,” she said, remarkably steady.
“Please give this family some privacy.”
Ethan directed the band to resume in an adjoining salon.
Hotel staff closed the ballroom doors, leaving only Grayson, Samara, the twins, Claire, Ethan, company counsel, and one security officer inside.
Without the crowd, Grayson felt less powerful, not more.
He removed his jacket and placed it over a chair.
“What do you need right now?”
Samara shifted Noelle on her hip.
