Chapter 5 - The Senator’s Envoy
The heavy oak front doors of the Mercer mansion remained firmly shut, but through the reinforced glass sidelights, Dominic could clearly see the scene unfolding on the sweeping gravel driveway outside.
A sleek black government sedan was parked right across the main entrance, hazard lights blinking angrily. Standing beside it were two state troopers in full uniform, hands resting near their service holsters, flanking a tall, impeccably dressed man in a charcoal trench coat.
Arthur Vance—Senator Harrison Harrington’s longtime chief of staff and chief political fixer.
Dominic didn't wait for them to knock. He reached out, unlocked the deadbolt himself, and pulled the heavy door open, stepping out onto the stone porch to meet them in the brisk autumn air.
“Arthur,” Dominic greeted coldly, not bothering to offer a handshake. “You’re trespassing on private property. Turn your car around before my security detail has your vehicle impounded.”
Arthur Vance adjusted his silver-rimmed glasses, stepping forward with an expression of manufactured outrage and political bluster.
“This is an outrage, Dominic!” Vance barked, pointing a finger toward the driveway. “You humiliated Senator Harrington’s only daughter, canceled a high-profile society wedding forty-eight hours before the ceremony without a shred of diplomatic notice, and had her physically ejected from this estate like a common trespasser! The Senator demands an immediate explanation and a formal public apology!”
Dominic didn't flinch. He crossed his arms over his chest, looking down at Vance as if the man were a minor annoyance buzzing near his ear.
“Go back to Washington, Arthur, and tell the Senator two things,” Dominic said, his voice dangerously low. “First, his daughter attempted to commit fraud by forging family trust amendments to steal my late mother’s property out from under my widowed sister and nephew. Second, if he or anyone else from his political circus ever contacts this estate again, I will release the complete financial ledger of his underground campaign contributions to the federal press by sundown.”
Vance’s face turned the color of ash. The blustering political outrage melted away instantly, replaced by sheer, unadulterated terror.
“You… you wouldn't,” Vance stammered, his voice cracking.
“Try me,” Dominic challenged, taking one slow step closer. “I spent the morning reviewing the files Brooke left behind in her portfolio. It turns out she wasn't the only one in the Harrington family who liked to manipulate legal trusts for personal gain. Do you really want to test how much sunlight the Senator’s campaign can survive?”
Vance swallowed hard, his throat working convulsively as he realized he was completely out of his depth. He had come here expecting to bully a compromised groom into submission; instead, he had walked straight into a loaded trap.
“This… this isn't over, Mercer,” Vance muttered weakly, taking a step backward down the stone steps. “The Senator will remember this.”
“Tell the Senator not to hold his breath,” Dominic replied flatly.
Without another word, Vance turned on his heel, practically scrambling back toward the sedan. Within seconds, the doors slammed shut, and the government car roared down the gravel driveway, kicking up a storm of dust as it fled the estate.
Dominic watched them go until the taillights vanished around the bend.
He took a deep breath of the crisp coastal air, feeling the final lingering tension leave his shoulders. The threat was neutralized. The estate was secure. His family was safe.
He turned around and walked back inside, locking the heavy oak door behind him with a solid, echoing click.
Emma was waiting in the foyer, standing by the antique grandfather clock with a quiet, knowing expression on her face.
“Did they leave?” she asked softly.
“They left,” Dominic confirmed, pulling off his cuffs and rolling up his sleeves. “And they won’t be back.”
Emma let out a soft, relieved sigh. “Well, Mr. Mercer, what do we do with the three hundred guests arriving for a wedding that isn't happening?”
May you like
Dominic paused, a slow, unexpected smirk touching the corners of his mouth.
“Cancel the wedding reception,” Dominic instructed smoothly. “Turn it into a private family celebration for Natalie and Noah. Let the society gossips talk. We’re going to have a party where everyone is actually welcome.”
