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CHAPTER 35: THE WEDDING — Part 1
The emergency board meeting was at nine AM. Hidden from the wedding guests. Secret session in Logan's suite.
I attended because Kendall had asked. Showed support without committing. Walked the impossible line.
The room was tense. Board members arranged around a conference table. Logan at the head. Kendall standing. Preparing his pitch.
I stood near the back. Visible but not central. Let them decide how to read my presence.
Kendall began. "We're here because Waystar needs new leadership. My father has served this company for decades. But it's time for transition. Time for vision that isn't rooted in old media and legacy thinking."
Professional. Measured. He'd practiced this.
Logan sat silent. Face unreadable.
Kendall continued. "I'm proposing a vote of no confidence. A structured transition with Logan moving to Chairman Emeritus. I would assume the CEO role with Frank's support as COO."
Frank shifted uncomfortably. He'd promised support. I could see him calculating whether to honor it.
"I've spoken with many of you individually," Kendall said. "I believe we have the votes. But this isn't about politics. It's about the company's future. About adapting to changing markets. About leadership that understands digital transformation."
Good pitch. Compelling, even.
It wouldn't matter.
Logan finally spoke. "You done?"
"Yes."
"Good." Logan stood. Walked to the window. Looked out at the castle grounds. "Nice speech, son. Practiced. Professional. Almost convincing."
He turned back. "But you don't have the votes. You never did."
Kendall's face flickered. "I counted—"
"You counted wrong." Logan pulled out his phone. Showed the screen. "Ilham. You promised Kendall your vote?"
A board member near the middle shifted. "I... expressed concerns about transition—"
"But when I asked you yesterday, you confirmed your support for me. Correct?"
"Yes."
Logan moved to the next. "Eduard. You told Kendall you were considering his position?"
"I listened to his pitch—"
"And then you told me you were committed to current leadership. Yes?"
Eduard nodded. Wouldn't meet Kendall's eyes.
One by one, Logan dismantled the coalition. Every promised vote revealed as hollow. Every supporter exposed as already turned.
Kendall's face went from confident to confused to devastated.
I watched. Knew it was coming. Still felt the gut-punch of watching my brother realize he'd been played.
"So let's have that vote," Logan said. Sat back down. "All in favor of Kendall's proposal for my removal?"
Silence.
"Show of hands."
Nothing. No one moved.
"Opposed?"
Every hand went up. Including Frank's. Including the people who'd promised Kendall support.
Logan smiled. Cold. Sharp. "Motion fails. Meeting adjourned. We have a wedding to attend."
People filed out quickly. Didn't want to be associated with the failure.
Kendall stood frozen. Destroyed.
Logan approached him. Spoke quietly enough that only Kendall and I—standing nearby—could hear.
"You tried. I respect that. But you're not ready. Maybe you'll never be ready. And that's okay. Not everyone's built to lead."
The kindness was worse than rage would've been.
Logan left. Kendall stayed. Staring at nothing.
I approached. "Kendall—"
"Don't." His voice was hollow. "Just... don't."
"I'm sorry."
"Are you? You didn't vote either way. Just stood there. Gathering intelligence, probably. Protecting yourself."
Not entirely wrong.
"I couldn't join a move I knew would fail," I said quietly.
"How did you know?"
"Logan always wins. That's the rule."
Kendall looked at me. Something broken in his eyes. "I thought we were brothers. I thought you'd back me."
"I am your brother. That's why I didn't watch you fail alone."
"No. You just watched me fail. Period." He walked toward the door. "Enjoy the wedding."
He left.
I stood in the empty conference room. The view of castle grounds mocking me with their beauty.
I'd navigated the impossible situation. Survived. Maintained Logan's trust by appearing uncommitted.
And lost Kendall's trust entirely.
The cost of knowing too much. The weight of playing both sides.
The wedding was at three.
I dressed in my assigned formal wear. Descended to the ceremony space. Took my seat with the family.
The castle chapel was stunning. Ancient stone. Stained glass. Centuries of prayers and promises soaked into the walls.
Shiv looked beautiful. Tom looked terrified. The ceremony proceeded with traditional English pomp.
I watched. Let the Empathy Engine extend slightly.
From Shiv: This is it. The commitment. The alliance. Don't fuck it up. Perform perfectly. Everyone's watching—
From Tom: She's so beautiful. This means something. I'm someone now. I matter. I'm family. Please let this work—
From Logan: She chose well. Ambitious enough. Controllable enough. Good alliance for the company—
From Kendall: Nothing. Blank. Shut down completely.
The vows were traditional. "I do." "I do." Rings exchanged. Kiss. Applause.
Mr. and Mrs. Wambsgans.
Tom and Shiv walked down the aisle. Happy couple. Perfect performance.
I clapped with everyone else.
And thought about what came tonight. The crash. The death. The beginning of Logan's complete control over Kendall.
Unless I could stop it.
But how?
The reception was excessive. Orchestra. Champagne. Food from Michelin-starred chefs flown in for the occasion.
I found a quiet corner. Drank carefully. Watched.
Kendall was drinking heavily. I saw him at the bar. Downing shots between champagne. The spiral beginning.
I approached. "Hey."
"Go away, Roman."
"Kendall—"
"I said go away." He grabbed another drink. "You made your choice. Live with it."
"I'm trying to help."
"Help?" He laughed. Bitter. Broken. "You want to help? Go back in time and actually support your brother. Otherwise, fuck off."
He walked away. Disappeared into the crowd.
I started to follow. Stopped.
What could I say? How could I explain without revealing everything?
I couldn't.
So I watched him self-destruct. And hated myself for it.
The party continued. People danced. Ate. Celebrated. Oblivious to the disaster building.
Around eleven, I saw Kendall heading for the exit. Alone. Unsteady.
This was it. The moment.
I had to stop him. Had to keep him here. Had to—
"Roman!" Connor appeared. Drunk. Rambling about his campaign. "You have to hear this new strategy idea. It's revolutionary. The whole electoral college approach is..."
He kept talking. I tried to edge away. Couldn't without being rude.
By the time I extracted myself, Kendall was gone.
The car had left.
And I knew—I knew—what was happening on those English roads.
Someone was dying. Right now. Because I'd failed.
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