Chapter 4 - THE CHANGING OF THE GUARD
The VIP lounge of the Harrington Naval Club was quiet, a stark contrast to the chaotic storm I had left
behind in the ballroom. A young female lieutenant had quickly brought me a crisp, white Navy dress
uniform—the double-breasted jacket adorned with gold buttons, the shoulder boards bearing the
silver eagles of a Captain, and the Navy Cross ribbon pinned proudly above my heart.
As I fastened the top button of the high collar, I looked at myself in the full-length mirror.
The woman staring back was no longer the fragile girl who had left this city five years ago. My eyes
were harder, tempered by deep-sea pressure and the weight of commanding a crew of over a
hundred sailors in the dark, silent depths of the ocean. The scars on my back were hidden beneath
the thick, high-quality white fabric of the uniform, but I knew they were there. They were my armor.
A soft knock came at the door.
"Come in," I said.
The door opened, and my mother stepped inside. Her eyes were red, her perfect makeup ruined by
tears. For the first time in my life, she looked her actual age. The polished, untouchable facade of
Eleanor Harrington had completely shattered.
"Evelyn..." she whispered, holding a crumpled lace handkerchief. "Oh, my god, Evelyn. I didn't
know. We truly didn't know. Your father... he told us the Navy said you had deserted, that you were in
trouble..."
"And you believed him because it was easier," I said, not turning around, focusing on adjusting the
medals on my chest. "It was easier to believe I was a failure than to stand up to him. It was easier to
pretend I didn't exist than to risk your social standing."
"That's not fair!" she cried, taking a step closer, though she didn't dare touch me. "We grieved for
you! I cried myself to sleep for months!"
"But you still attended the charity galas," I replied, finally turning to face her. My voice was calm,
which seemed to frighten her more than anger would have. "You still wore your diamonds. You let
Celeste mock my memory, and you let Julian take over my share of the family estate. You erased me,
Mother. The moment I was no longer useful to the Harrington brand, you erased me."
7
She sobbed, covering her face with her hands. "What are you going to do? Your father... his heart...
this scandal will ruin him. The board is already calling emergency meetings. The stocks are plunging."
"Good," I said simply. "Arthur Harrington built his empire on the safety of the men and women of
the United States Navy. If he cannot respect the officers who serve, he has no business supplying them
with equipment."
Before she could speak, the door opened again, and Admiral Reed stepped in. He looked at my
mother with cold indifference.
"Mrs. Harrington, I must ask you to leave. I have official military business to discuss with Captain
Harrington."
Eleanor looked at me, hoping for some sign of forgiveness, some crack in my icy exterior. Finding
none, she turned and hurried out of the room, her head bowed in shame.
Once the door closed, Reed’s expression softened slightly. "You look exceptional, Captain. The
uniform suits you."
"Thank you, Admiral," I said, offering a brief, respectful nod. "What is the status of the ballroom?"
"Your father is attempting to run damage control, but the senators are already leaving," Reed said,
a grim smile playing on his lips. "And more importantly, the naval investigative unit has just received
a very interesting file. The one you compiled during your recovery."
My eyes narrowed. "The structural reports on the Vanguard's hull?"
"Yes," Reed said, his face hardening. "The steel that failed during the torpedo impact—the steel that
trapped your crew and caused those scars on your back—was supplied by Harrington Defense. It was
a substandard alloy, Evelyn. Your father cut corners to increase his profit margins on that contract."
A cold, dark fire ignited in my chest. "He didn't just abandon me, Admiral. He nearly killed me and
my crew with his greed."
"We have enough evidence to initiate a full federal inquiry," Reed said. "But because of your
position and the classified nature of the vessel, the Navy wants you to lead the briefing tomorrow. You
are going to dismantle your father's empire, Captain. Personally."
May you like
I looked out the window, looking at the city lights reflecting off the dark harbor. "With pleasure,
Admiral."
