Chapter 4 - The Sycophant's Approach
The grand ballroom of the White House East Room was a sea of crystal chandeliers, silk gowns, and starched tuxedos. Waiters in white gloves moved silently through the crowd, carrying silver trays laden with flutes of vintage champagne and delicate hors d'oeuvres.
Arthur Mercer stood near the marble fireplace, nursing his fourth glass of scotch.
He was sweating beneath his tuxedo collar, his eyes constantly darting toward the main entrance. Ever since the encounter at the gate, an icy chill of unease had been gnawing at his gut. He had tried to downplay it to Evelyn and Trevor, laughing it off as a clerical mix-up, but the image of Vance saluting Kate was burned into his retinas.
"Arthur, stop fidgeting," Evelyn hissed, applying another coat of bright red lipstick with a trembling hand. "You're drawing stares. Senator Caldwell looked at you funny five minutes ago."
"Shut up, Evelyn," Arthur muttered, his jaw tight. "You don't understand the military hierarchy. A three-star general isn't just an officer. She's the Deputy Director of Defense Acquisition. Hayes relies on her for every single weapons system procurement over one hundred million dollars."
"So what?" Trevor scoffed, straightening his crooked bow tie. He had already downed three glasses of bourbon and was emboldened by the alcohol. "She’s your daughter! If anything, this guarantees we get the contract! She wouldn't dare torpedo her own family. What would that look like? It would ruin the Mercer name!"
"You idiot," Arthur whispered venomously, glaring at his stepson. "She hasn't spoken to me in twenty-six years. I disowned her! I took away her inheritance!"
"Then give it back!" Evelyn pressed, her eyes wide with frantic greed. "Promise her a seat on the board! Promise her twenty million in stock options! No one turns down that kind of money, Arthur. Not even a general. She’s probably just bitter because she thinks you forgot about her. Play the loving father. You know how to manipulate people!"
Arthur straightened his posture, pulling his shoulders back. Evelyn was right. Everyone had a price. Kate was still the girl who used to cry in her bedroom when he criticized her grades. She was still Sarah's daughter—emotional, sentimental, seeking approval. If he approached her with open arms, admitted he had been 'harsh' in the past, and offered her an olive branch wrapped in hundreds of millions of dollars, she would fold. She had to. Mercer Tech was on the verge of financial ruin without the Aegis funding; the banks had already issued a margin call on his personal stock collateral.
Suddenly, a murmur rippled through the ballroom.
The brass double doors opened, and the presidential military staff entered.
Flanked by General Vance and the Secretary of the Army, I walked into the East Room. The dress blues were sharp, the gold braid gleaming under the massive crystal chandeliers. Behind me walked two uniformed aides carrying official leather-bound government portfolios.
Arthur didn't hesitate.
Putting on his most paternal, affectionate smile, he broke away from Evelyn and Trevor and strode boldly across the polished hardwood floor, heading straight for my flank.
"Katherine!" he called out, his voice pitched perfectly to project warmth and familial pride across the surrounding circle of senators, CEOs, and foreign ambassadors. "Katherine, darling!"
Several guests turned, murmuring in surprise. Arthur reached out, his arms spreading wide as if to embrace me in front of the entire assembly.
General Vance stepped forward instantly to intercept him, but I raised a subtle finger, signaling Vance to stand down.
Arthur stopped two feet in front of me, his eyes shining with false tears.
"Kate... my God, look at you," Arthur said, his voice choking with theatrical emotion. "I can't tell you the pride that swelled in my heart seeing you at the gate. A three-star general! If only your poor mother were alive to see this day."
The audacity was breathtaking.
"Do not speak her name, Arthur," I said, my voice dead, quiet, and razor-sharp.
Arthur’s smile faltered for a fraction of a second before he recovered, laughing softly, dismissively, to the watching crowd. "Oh, I know, I know. You're still angry with your old man. And you have every right to be! I was too tough on you, Kate. I pushed you too hard because I saw greatness in you, and I wanted you to forge your own path! But seeing you here tonight... carrying the Mercer name to the highest corridors of power... it made me realize how foolish our estrangement was."
Evelyn and Trevor quickly joined his side, hovering like vultures in designer fabrics.
"Katherine, you look simply stunning," Evelyn gushed, leaning forward as if trying to kiss my cheek. "Trevor was just saying how much he’s missed his big sister. We have so much catching up to do!"
"Yes, General Mercer," Trevor said with an arrogant smirk, clearly believing the danger had passed. "We should sit down in the morning at the Hay-Adams. Arthur and I have some very exciting updates on the Aegis propulsion systems that you’ll want to review before the formal press release."
I looked at the three of them.
The vanity. The absolute, unrepentant sickness of people who believed that money could erase blood, betrayal, and thirty years of cruel neglect.
"There won't be any meeting at the Hay-Adams, Trevor," I said plainly.
Arthur’s eyes narrowed, a flash of his true, vicious nature breaking through the fatherly facade. "Now, Kate, don't be childish. We're in public. Mercer Tech is the lifeblood of this family. When Mercer Tech wins the Aegis contract tonight, our family stock triples. You'll have your proper share restored, of course. Ten percent non-voting equity. That's worth over fifty million dollars, Kate. Think about your future."
"Fifty million dollars," I repeated, letting the number hang in the air between us.
"That's right, sweetheart," Arthur whispered, stepping closer, thinking he had finally found my price. "A fresh start. A father and daughter, reunited at the peak of American power. What do you say?"
May you like
"I say," I answered, leaning in just enough so that only Arthur, Evelyn, and Trevor could hear my next words, "that you should have checked the serial numbers on the aluminum casings Trevor shipped to Fort Sill last Tuesday."
***
