Jared Arden's reckless move frightened even his good friend Andrew Margeson. Andrew backed away several steps, putting distance between them. Ruining Henry Brown, who had no one to back him, was one thing. Offending the Mellon family's young lady was another.
The Arden Family was effectively gone, with nothing left but a name that had become a joke. Jared Arden had no reason to hold back and dared to do anything. He had nothing left to lose.
But the Margeson family still ranked among the Old Money. If Andrew offended the Mellon family's young lady today, the Mellons would not even have to demand his surrender. His own family would hand over a son from a collateral branch.
The moment someone drew a gun, the Mellon family's bodyguards drew theirs and moved to surround him.
But they did not dare aim at him. They kept their guns pointed at the floor, because Jared Arden had hidden himself behind Christine Mellon.
He fired a shot into the ceiling. Falling plaster proved the gun was real and loaded with live rounds. Jared Arden warned the other bodyguards.
"Don't move! I'm not after you, or Christine. I want Henry Brown. Come out! Henry Brown, get out here."
Once again the center of attention, Henry slowly stepped out from behind the Mellon family's bodyguards.
He had not been hiding on purpose. The bodyguards had crowded forward to save the person they were protecting and clear their lines of fire so no bystanders would be hurt. In doing so, they had left Henry behind them.
Now that Jared Arden had called Henry out, the bodyguards parted without hesitation. They gave him up with remarkable speed.
Henry had no intention of hiding from this. He left Aether Hepburn behind, stepped out of the crowd, and faced