Reed leaned closer and began reading out loud.

“Internal directive… Chairman V. Miller… approve exception for Reed Foster… freeze rental rate indefinitely…”

His voice slowed.

His face turned pale.

Maverick spoke calmly so the entire crowd could hear.

“You’ve been paying $2,800 a month for this house. The current market rate is $4,200.”

A murmur rippled through the guests.

“That’s a difference of $16,800 per year,” Maverick continued. “Over three years, that’s over $50,000.”

Reed stared at him. “What are you saying?”

“I’m saying,” Maverick replied evenly, “that the lifestyle you’ve been enjoying here has been heavily subsidized.”

The silence was absolute.

Then Maverick looked directly at Helen.

“The company that owns this property—Ironwood Holdings—belongs to me.”

Her champagne glass slipped from her hand and shattered on the marble floor.

“You’ve been living in this house,” Maverick continued calmly, “because I allowed it. As a favor to Sharon’s brother.”

He paused.

“But tonight, after seeing how my family was treated…”

He pulled up the contract again.

“I’m exercising the non-renewal clause.”

Then he looked back at Reed.

“Your lease ends in thirty days.”

For several seconds, nobody spoke.

The entire party seemed frozen.

My brother looked like someone had just had the ground pulled out from beneath him.

“Maverick… please,” Reed said quietly. “I didn’t know.”

“I know you didn’t,” Maverick replied.

His voice wasn’t angry anymore. Just steady.

“That’s why the arrangement existed in the first place.”

Helen, however, had gone completely silent. The confident smile she’d worn all evening had disappeared.

For the first time, she looked uncertain.