Chapter 4

At exactly midnight, every screen in the Grand Aurum ballroom went black.

The celebratory music abruptly cut off. The giant, glowing letters that read MERCER CENTENNIAL CELEBRATION completely vanished.

A second later, stark white text appeared across the massive digital displays:

GRAND AURUM

AN ASHFORD HOSPITALITY PROPERTY

A confused murmur rippled through the crowd of elites.

On stage, Celia was posing for the cameras, holding the solid gold Founder's Key. She turned to the electronic pedestal of the centennial bell, ready to complete the midnight ritual. She slid the key into the slot.

Nothing happened.

The bell did not ring.…