Chapter 6 - The Yacht Celebration
The yacht named Sovereign was the crown jewel of the Mercer fleet.
It had three decks, six guest suites, a private cinema, and a dining room surrounded by glass. Richard planned to announce that the vessel had been purchased by a new international investor.
In reality, the buyer was his own shell company.
Emily boarded wearing a cream-white dress. A hidden microphone was secured inside her phone case, transmitting everything to Natalie.
Richard greeted her with a glass of champagne.
“Try not to look terrified,” he said. “Everyone will know you’ve never been on a yacht.”
“I’m not terrified.”
“You should be impressed, then.”
Victoria appeared behind him.
“This yacht costs more than your entire neighborhood.”
Emily looked around at the polished deck, the white leather benches, and the gold Mercer emblem near the stairs.
Her grandfather had designed that emblem.
As a child, Emily had watched him sketch it on a restaurant napkin.
The yacht did not belong to Richard.
It did not belong to Victoria.
It belonged to the company Samuel had entrusted to her.
The guests gathered for the announcement. Richard raised his glass and declared that Sovereign had entered a new era of private ownership.
Emily quietly opened the transfer document on her phone.
Victoria’s electronic signature appeared at the bottom.
Richard had completed the fraud.
Natalie’s voice came through Emily’s wireless earpiece.
“We have it. The harbor police are moving.”
Emily stepped toward the railing and looked across the water.
A police boat was leaving the marina.
Richard noticed her.
“Who are you talking to?”
“No one.”
He reached for her phone.
Emily pulled it away.
Victoria moved between them.
“What’s on the phone?”
Emily backed toward the railing.
The celebration music continued, but nearby guests had begun watching.
Richard’s pleasant expression disappeared.
“Give it to me.”
“No.”
May you like
It was the first time Emily had openly refused him.
And it changed everything.
