07-07-2026, 07:04 AM
1 of 2
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July 4th, 2026
Charlotte, NC
Off Camera
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The bar occupied the corner of an older brick building in the heart of Charlotte, tucked between a small bookstore and a restaurant that had already begun filling with the evening dinner crowd. From the outside it looked welcoming rather than extravagant. Warm light spilled through large front windows onto the sidewalk, and the sound of quiet laughter drifted through the entrance each time someone stepped inside. A simple wooden sign hung above the door, weathered just enough to give the place character without making it seem neglected. Inside, the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortably lived in. Exposed brick walls stretched the length of the room, interrupted occasionally by framed photographs of Charlotte from decades past and a handful of local sports memorabilia. The polished hardwood floor bore the subtle marks of years of footsteps, each scuff and scratch adding to the feeling that this was a place people returned to again and again. The ceiling was crossed with dark wooden beams, and warm amber lights hung from simple metal fixtures, casting a soft glow that made every corner of the room feel inviting. The bar itself ran almost the entire length of one wall. It was crafted from thick oak that had developed a rich patina through years of use. Behind it, shelves displayed rows of bottles illuminated by gentle backlighting, their glass reflecting shades of gold, amber, and deep green. Bartenders moved with practiced ease, sliding glasses across polished surfaces, wiping down the counter, greeting familiar faces with quiet smiles. The scent of grilled food drifted through the room, mingling with fresh citrus, coffee from an espresso machine near the end of the bar, and the unmistakable aroma of polished wood. Conversations blended into a comfortable background murmur, occasionally interrupted by bursts of laughter or the soft clink of glasses meeting in quiet toasts. A television mounted discreetly in one corner showed a sporting event with the volume turned low enough that it never competed with the room itself.
Toward the back of the bar, away from the busiest sections, sat Glory Braddock, her husband Kurt Logan, and Glory’s childhood best friend, Melody Murphy. The booth they occupied offered just enough privacy without isolating them from the rest of the room. The leather upholstery had softened over years of use, the cushions comfortably worn without appearing shabby. A small hanging light above the table cast a warm circle of light over their drinks and menus while leaving the surrounding room pleasantly subdued. Glory sat on one side of the booth, her back resting comfortably against the leather seat. She wore a pair of dark blue jeans that fit naturally without appearing tailored for fashion. The denim showed the gentle fading that came from regular wear rather than deliberate design. Her shirt was a simple charcoal gray T shirt beneath an unbuttoned olive green overshirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to just below her elbows. The overshirt looked well worn in the best possible way, soft from years of use and perfectly suited to her preference for comfort over appearance. Her footwear consisted of clean but practical sneakers, sturdy enough for almost any situation and entirely consistent with the grounded way she approached life. A simple watch rested on her wrist, its face functional rather than decorative. There were no bracelets, no elaborate accessories, nothing chosen merely to draw attention. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a low ponytail that rested comfortably over one shoulder. A few loose strands framed her face naturally, escaping despite the effort to keep them tucked back. The warm lighting softened her features while still highlighting the quiet confidence that always seemed to surround her. Even sitting still, she carried herself with an athletic posture, shoulders naturally straight, movements economical and unforced. Across from her sat Melody Murphy.
The differences between the two women were immediately apparent. Where Glory favored practicality, Melody clearly enjoyed expressing herself through elegance and feminine style. She wore a flowing emerald green blouse made from soft fabric that caught the light with a subtle sheen whenever she moved. The blouse tucked gracefully into a cream colored skirt that fell just below her knees, its gentle folds moving effortlessly as she shifted in her seat. The outfit was polished without feeling overly formal, perfectly suited to an evening out with close friends. A slim gold necklace rested delicately against her collarbone, accompanied by matching earrings that caught the warm light each time she turned her head. Several thin bracelets circled one wrist, creating the faintest musical sound whenever her hands moved. Her shoes were tasteful heels in a neutral shade, elegant enough to complement her outfit while remaining comfortable enough for an evening spent talking rather than walking. Her hair fell in carefully styled waves around her shoulders, smooth and glossy under the hanging light above the table. Her makeup was refined and understated, emphasizing her bright eyes and warm smile without appearing excessive. Everything about her appearance suggested thoughtful attention to detail, yet nothing felt artificial. She possessed a warmth that immediately drew people toward her. Even sitting quietly, there was an openness to her expression that made the space around her feel inviting.
Beside Glory sat Kurt Logan. His clothing reflected the same practical mindset that Glory preferred. He wore dark jeans paired with a fitted black henley shirt, the sleeves pushed casually to his forearms. Brown leather boots rested firmly on the wooden floor beneath the table, showing just enough wear to suggest regular use. His jacket hung over the back of the booth beside him, no longer needed in the warmth of the bar. His short hair was neatly trimmed but not overly styled, and the faint shadow along his jaw gave him a relaxed appearance. His broad shoulders filled the booth comfortably, and he sat with the easy confidence of someone entirely at home in his surroundings. Glory’s grounded simplicity stood beside Melody’s effortless femininity, while Kurt provided a steady presence between them. Their clothing reflected different personalities without feeling exaggerated. They looked like people who had known one another long enough that appearances had become expressions of identity rather than attempts to impress. The table in front of them held several glasses filled with ice that had already begun to melt in the warmth of the room. A basket of appetizers sat in the center, only partially eaten, alongside neatly folded napkins and condiments pushed casually toward one side. Outside the windows, Charlotte continued its steady evening rhythm. Office workers made their way home. Couples wandered the sidewalks beneath the glow of streetlights that had just begun to flicker to life. Cars rolled past at an unhurried pace, their headlights briefly illuminating the windows before disappearing into the growing darkness. Inside the bar, however, time seemed to slow.
“Honestly, I am surprised you showed up.” Melody begins. “Not only did you come to North Carolina, a state you particularly despise, but you came here on the Fourth of Juy.”
“Yeah, well, that it may be, and look at the Americans enjoying themselves. But to you and Mel, it is just another Saturday.”
“That’s right! Happy Treason Day, Americans!”
Melody and Glory share a laugh. Kurt cannot help but notice the genuine sincerity as his wife, Glory Braddock seems to be enjoying herself this evening.
“You know, Gloria, you do seem to be enjoying yourself tonight.
“Kurt’s right.” Melody nods her head. “Lately you have been so much happier. What’s the reason behind this sudden positive outlook on life”? I had always known you to be such a sour-puss.”
“Yeah, I get it,” Glory nods her head “but I AM happier and I AM enjoying myself, because I can focus what really and truly motivates me, the one thing that I am truly passionate abbott ; my own personal wrestling career. It’s what I was born to do, it’s what I was built to do. I truly believe that I am among the very in SCW today. The current World Champion? Amelia Nevado? I have her number. I’ll be facing her tag partner Luz soon enough. And next week I get to fight my old pal Asher Hayes again.”
“Hayes?” Kurt sighs. “He’s the Underground Champion. I thought you were going to stay away from that.”
“No worries, love.” Glory shakes her head. “It isn’t a title match. It isn’t even Underground Rules. It’s a standard wrestling match as, as much as I respect Asher, wrestling is MY domain, it’s my home, and just like Amelia, I have his number.”
“So you don’t miss the corporate world?” Melody asks. Glory shakes her head.
“Not one iota.” She insists, shaking her head. “Constantly trying to manage things myself was not only distracting me from my other career goals but it was also forcing me to become something I hated; a corporate cutthroat. IT forced me to become someone very ruthless just to maintain order with Glorious Global Enterprises, what with board members questioning me every so often, people like the founder, Matthew Alan, and his loyalists trying to undermine me, it was just exhausting to my psyche. Constantly fighting those battles made me want to give up and just become the ruthless monster they wanted to see.” Braddock shakes her head.
“But no more! Thanks to my old friend Cat, everything is working out beautifully for me!”
“Cat?” Melody asks curiously.
“Catalina De Luca.” Glory explains. “She and I met when my father was wrestling all around the European independent scene making a name for himself. She would attend most of his wrestling matches because of her father’s…uh…work…”
Melody notices the subtle pause in Glory’s voice. She arches a brow out of curiosity and tilts her head to one side, studying her closely, carefully.
“What is her father’s work?”
“Well…” Glory’s voice trails off as she smiles sheepishly “...is it important?”
“Yes, I would think so.”
“You may as well them, babe.” Kurt says, shoots his wife a knowing grin.
“Fine.” Glory sighs. “Her father was a mobster.”
“What?!” Melody responds with shock. “You’re involved with the mafia again?!”
“It’s not like that!” Glory insists. “Cat’s family were mobsters, yes. They were involved with illegal gambling other things. They fixed matches in the independent wrestling circuits my father wrestled for. But he never took a dime from them, he never took a favor from them, and, in fact, he was respected even amongst the mafia that they agreed not to help him win because he wanted to win on his own merit.”
“And what does that mean about your friend Catalina?”
“She’s nothing like them.” The British Bombshell insists. “She wants to make an honest living, she has no desire to get involved in her family’s business. That’s why I hired her, because she needed the opportunity to make an honest living. And the fact that she has experience dealing with ruthless cutthroats, I figured she would be a great hire, a great person to deal with the company business on my behalf so I can focus on wrestling.”
“But she’s supposed to be doing this legally?”
“Of course.” Glory nods her head. “And she is.”
There is a tense pause at the table as the three remain silent. Glory Braddock had been warned about hiring her ex-mafia pal but she wasn’t worried. The British Bombshell practically grew up around her. She knows that has a heart of gold and doesn’t want to earn her keep via organized crime. She, like Glory, wants to make an honest living. Sure, Cat knows every dirty trick and tool of the trade that could be used by white collar corporate heavy hitters, but that’s precisely why Glory Braddock wants and needs her. Catalina De Luca knows how to deal with people like that. Glory does too but she isn’t sure she can handle them AND keep control of her soul at the same time. Catalina can.
“Well, this makes things a little awkward…” Melody says, her own voice trailing off. Glory frowns, studying her closely.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m in Charlotte for some business and seeing as I’m a business partner of your company I thought I would see how your little corporate machine is operating. What I learned was shocking. Apparently a few influential members of the Board of Directors recently stepped down.”
“Really?” Glory is taken aback by this. “Who?”
“Richard. Amber. Reid.” Melody states matter of factly. Glory nods her head knowingly.
“Yeah, I know them all too well. They are fierce Matthew Alan loyalists and have never stopped giving me grief. They were always questioning my judgment calls and my decisions. They undermined me at every turn all because they want Matthew Alan or one of his sisters in charge again. I sold Aurora Alan, Matthew’s youngest sister, a minority share of stock, making her a minority co-owner, hoping that would appease them. And it worked for a long time.”
“Well you don’t have to worry about them any longer.” Melody sighs. “They quit.’
“You didn’t influence this, did you babe?” Kurt asks Glory. The British Bombshell shakes her head.
“No, absolutely not! I mean, I may not trust the Alan Family but I do respect traditions and I respect how strongly certain people feel about the family that originally built my company. That’s why I never tried to run them off the board. That’s why I sold Aurora Alan a minority ownership. I did it as an olive branch, to illustrate that I understand their feelings and I am willing to work with them.”
“Well someone certainly pressured them to quit because the last time I checked they were happy with the arrangements.” Melody remarks.
“I assure you, I didn’t get involved.” Glory remarks. “I have been actively trying to avoid getting involved. That’s why I hired Cat in the first place.”
“So do you think…do you think Catalina De Luca could have forced them out?”
“Surely not…”
“But you did hire her to work on your behalf. She is your chief of staff, you told her that she was to run the company as you wanted it to be run. You told her that anything she does would carry the weight of YOUR authority.” Kurt states. “Maybe she thought that getting rid of your enemies is what you wanted?”
“I suppose…” Braddock shrugs her shoulders out of frustration “...I suppose it’s possible. I mean, I did ask her to handle things for me. I wanted her to insulate me from the corporate drama. But I didn’t expect her to go firing people.”
“Maybe the problem is you weren’t very specific with your instructions?”Melody suggests. “Based on what you just told me, I could easily see how she might think getting rid of those people might be what you wanted. Maybe she thought she was helping.”
“Maybe.” Glory nods her head. “Maybe I should talk to her?”
“It’s a good idea.” Melody nods her head. “But before you do, you might want to talk to Aurora Alan first.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Melody nods her head. “I have heard that things are not well with her, either. Apparently she didn’t like how Richard, Amber, and Reid were forced out.”
The soft murmur of the Charlotte bar suddenly felt less like a comforting blanket and more like a rising tide of static. Glory stared at her glass, the melting ice clinking softly against the sides as the weight of Melody’s words truly settled in. She had hired Catalina De Luca to build a wall between her wrestling career and the corporate vipers of Glorious Global Enterprises. Instead, it seemed Cat had brought a sledgehammer to the boardroom, swinging it with the terrifying precision of someone raised at the feet of organized crime. The pieces fit together with a sickening neatness. Cat hadn't just insulated Glory; she had interpreted her childhood friend's exhaustion as an unwritten mandate to eliminate the opposition. In the high stakes world of corporate governance, forcing out entrenched Board members like Richard, Amber, and Reid wasn't just a restructuring; it was an act of war.
What happened next would inevitably ripple far beyond the glass-and-steel offices of her corporate empire. By allowing Cat to operate with the full weight of her authority, Glory had unwittingly authorized a corporate purge. The Alan family loyalists were gone, but they would not go quietly, and Aurora Alan, the minority co-owner Glory had worked so hard to placate with an olive branch, was now holding a smoking gun she fully intended to point back at the British Bombshell. Glory had sought peace to rediscover her passion for the canvas, but the political fallout was threatening to bleed directly into the ring. Going forward, the landscape for Glory Braddock is profoundly altered, split across two equally dangerous fronts. In the arena, her path remains clear but perilous. She still has her sights locked onto SCW World Champion Amelia Nevado, an impending clash with Luz, and next week's highly anticipated, old-school wrestling showcase against her longtime rival, the Underground Champion Asher Hayes. But the quiet confidence Glory felt just moments ago is now shadowed by an inescapable truth: she cannot fight with absolute focus when her own house is burning down. The immediate future demands a reckoning. Glory’s first step must be a confrontation with Catalina; not just to demand answers, but to establish boundaries before Cat's "insulation" turns into complete isolation. Yet, even if Glory manages to rein in her fiercely loyal Chief of Staff, the damage with the Alan faction is done. Aurora Alan is a cornered executive with legacy bloodlines, and a furious co-owner is a liability that can manipulate contracts, freeze assets, or orchestrate administrative chaos just as Glory climbs the championship ladder.
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July 4th, 2026
Charlotte, NC
Off Camera
==========
The bar occupied the corner of an older brick building in the heart of Charlotte, tucked between a small bookstore and a restaurant that had already begun filling with the evening dinner crowd. From the outside it looked welcoming rather than extravagant. Warm light spilled through large front windows onto the sidewalk, and the sound of quiet laughter drifted through the entrance each time someone stepped inside. A simple wooden sign hung above the door, weathered just enough to give the place character without making it seem neglected. Inside, the atmosphere was relaxed and comfortably lived in. Exposed brick walls stretched the length of the room, interrupted occasionally by framed photographs of Charlotte from decades past and a handful of local sports memorabilia. The polished hardwood floor bore the subtle marks of years of footsteps, each scuff and scratch adding to the feeling that this was a place people returned to again and again. The ceiling was crossed with dark wooden beams, and warm amber lights hung from simple metal fixtures, casting a soft glow that made every corner of the room feel inviting. The bar itself ran almost the entire length of one wall. It was crafted from thick oak that had developed a rich patina through years of use. Behind it, shelves displayed rows of bottles illuminated by gentle backlighting, their glass reflecting shades of gold, amber, and deep green. Bartenders moved with practiced ease, sliding glasses across polished surfaces, wiping down the counter, greeting familiar faces with quiet smiles. The scent of grilled food drifted through the room, mingling with fresh citrus, coffee from an espresso machine near the end of the bar, and the unmistakable aroma of polished wood. Conversations blended into a comfortable background murmur, occasionally interrupted by bursts of laughter or the soft clink of glasses meeting in quiet toasts. A television mounted discreetly in one corner showed a sporting event with the volume turned low enough that it never competed with the room itself.
Toward the back of the bar, away from the busiest sections, sat Glory Braddock, her husband Kurt Logan, and Glory’s childhood best friend, Melody Murphy. The booth they occupied offered just enough privacy without isolating them from the rest of the room. The leather upholstery had softened over years of use, the cushions comfortably worn without appearing shabby. A small hanging light above the table cast a warm circle of light over their drinks and menus while leaving the surrounding room pleasantly subdued. Glory sat on one side of the booth, her back resting comfortably against the leather seat. She wore a pair of dark blue jeans that fit naturally without appearing tailored for fashion. The denim showed the gentle fading that came from regular wear rather than deliberate design. Her shirt was a simple charcoal gray T shirt beneath an unbuttoned olive green overshirt with the sleeves rolled neatly to just below her elbows. The overshirt looked well worn in the best possible way, soft from years of use and perfectly suited to her preference for comfort over appearance. Her footwear consisted of clean but practical sneakers, sturdy enough for almost any situation and entirely consistent with the grounded way she approached life. A simple watch rested on her wrist, its face functional rather than decorative. There were no bracelets, no elaborate accessories, nothing chosen merely to draw attention. Her long blonde hair was pulled into a low ponytail that rested comfortably over one shoulder. A few loose strands framed her face naturally, escaping despite the effort to keep them tucked back. The warm lighting softened her features while still highlighting the quiet confidence that always seemed to surround her. Even sitting still, she carried herself with an athletic posture, shoulders naturally straight, movements economical and unforced. Across from her sat Melody Murphy.
The differences between the two women were immediately apparent. Where Glory favored practicality, Melody clearly enjoyed expressing herself through elegance and feminine style. She wore a flowing emerald green blouse made from soft fabric that caught the light with a subtle sheen whenever she moved. The blouse tucked gracefully into a cream colored skirt that fell just below her knees, its gentle folds moving effortlessly as she shifted in her seat. The outfit was polished without feeling overly formal, perfectly suited to an evening out with close friends. A slim gold necklace rested delicately against her collarbone, accompanied by matching earrings that caught the warm light each time she turned her head. Several thin bracelets circled one wrist, creating the faintest musical sound whenever her hands moved. Her shoes were tasteful heels in a neutral shade, elegant enough to complement her outfit while remaining comfortable enough for an evening spent talking rather than walking. Her hair fell in carefully styled waves around her shoulders, smooth and glossy under the hanging light above the table. Her makeup was refined and understated, emphasizing her bright eyes and warm smile without appearing excessive. Everything about her appearance suggested thoughtful attention to detail, yet nothing felt artificial. She possessed a warmth that immediately drew people toward her. Even sitting quietly, there was an openness to her expression that made the space around her feel inviting.
Beside Glory sat Kurt Logan. His clothing reflected the same practical mindset that Glory preferred. He wore dark jeans paired with a fitted black henley shirt, the sleeves pushed casually to his forearms. Brown leather boots rested firmly on the wooden floor beneath the table, showing just enough wear to suggest regular use. His jacket hung over the back of the booth beside him, no longer needed in the warmth of the bar. His short hair was neatly trimmed but not overly styled, and the faint shadow along his jaw gave him a relaxed appearance. His broad shoulders filled the booth comfortably, and he sat with the easy confidence of someone entirely at home in his surroundings. Glory’s grounded simplicity stood beside Melody’s effortless femininity, while Kurt provided a steady presence between them. Their clothing reflected different personalities without feeling exaggerated. They looked like people who had known one another long enough that appearances had become expressions of identity rather than attempts to impress. The table in front of them held several glasses filled with ice that had already begun to melt in the warmth of the room. A basket of appetizers sat in the center, only partially eaten, alongside neatly folded napkins and condiments pushed casually toward one side. Outside the windows, Charlotte continued its steady evening rhythm. Office workers made their way home. Couples wandered the sidewalks beneath the glow of streetlights that had just begun to flicker to life. Cars rolled past at an unhurried pace, their headlights briefly illuminating the windows before disappearing into the growing darkness. Inside the bar, however, time seemed to slow.
“Honestly, I am surprised you showed up.” Melody begins. “Not only did you come to North Carolina, a state you particularly despise, but you came here on the Fourth of Juy.”
“Yeah, well, that it may be, and look at the Americans enjoying themselves. But to you and Mel, it is just another Saturday.”
“That’s right! Happy Treason Day, Americans!”
Melody and Glory share a laugh. Kurt cannot help but notice the genuine sincerity as his wife, Glory Braddock seems to be enjoying herself this evening.
“You know, Gloria, you do seem to be enjoying yourself tonight.
“Kurt’s right.” Melody nods her head. “Lately you have been so much happier. What’s the reason behind this sudden positive outlook on life”? I had always known you to be such a sour-puss.”
“Yeah, I get it,” Glory nods her head “but I AM happier and I AM enjoying myself, because I can focus what really and truly motivates me, the one thing that I am truly passionate abbott ; my own personal wrestling career. It’s what I was born to do, it’s what I was built to do. I truly believe that I am among the very in SCW today. The current World Champion? Amelia Nevado? I have her number. I’ll be facing her tag partner Luz soon enough. And next week I get to fight my old pal Asher Hayes again.”
“Hayes?” Kurt sighs. “He’s the Underground Champion. I thought you were going to stay away from that.”
“No worries, love.” Glory shakes her head. “It isn’t a title match. It isn’t even Underground Rules. It’s a standard wrestling match as, as much as I respect Asher, wrestling is MY domain, it’s my home, and just like Amelia, I have his number.”
“So you don’t miss the corporate world?” Melody asks. Glory shakes her head.
“Not one iota.” She insists, shaking her head. “Constantly trying to manage things myself was not only distracting me from my other career goals but it was also forcing me to become something I hated; a corporate cutthroat. IT forced me to become someone very ruthless just to maintain order with Glorious Global Enterprises, what with board members questioning me every so often, people like the founder, Matthew Alan, and his loyalists trying to undermine me, it was just exhausting to my psyche. Constantly fighting those battles made me want to give up and just become the ruthless monster they wanted to see.” Braddock shakes her head.
“But no more! Thanks to my old friend Cat, everything is working out beautifully for me!”
“Cat?” Melody asks curiously.
“Catalina De Luca.” Glory explains. “She and I met when my father was wrestling all around the European independent scene making a name for himself. She would attend most of his wrestling matches because of her father’s…uh…work…”
Melody notices the subtle pause in Glory’s voice. She arches a brow out of curiosity and tilts her head to one side, studying her closely, carefully.
“What is her father’s work?”
“Well…” Glory’s voice trails off as she smiles sheepishly “...is it important?”
“Yes, I would think so.”
“You may as well them, babe.” Kurt says, shoots his wife a knowing grin.
“Fine.” Glory sighs. “Her father was a mobster.”
“What?!” Melody responds with shock. “You’re involved with the mafia again?!”
“It’s not like that!” Glory insists. “Cat’s family were mobsters, yes. They were involved with illegal gambling other things. They fixed matches in the independent wrestling circuits my father wrestled for. But he never took a dime from them, he never took a favor from them, and, in fact, he was respected even amongst the mafia that they agreed not to help him win because he wanted to win on his own merit.”
“And what does that mean about your friend Catalina?”
“She’s nothing like them.” The British Bombshell insists. “She wants to make an honest living, she has no desire to get involved in her family’s business. That’s why I hired her, because she needed the opportunity to make an honest living. And the fact that she has experience dealing with ruthless cutthroats, I figured she would be a great hire, a great person to deal with the company business on my behalf so I can focus on wrestling.”
“But she’s supposed to be doing this legally?”
“Of course.” Glory nods her head. “And she is.”
There is a tense pause at the table as the three remain silent. Glory Braddock had been warned about hiring her ex-mafia pal but she wasn’t worried. The British Bombshell practically grew up around her. She knows that has a heart of gold and doesn’t want to earn her keep via organized crime. She, like Glory, wants to make an honest living. Sure, Cat knows every dirty trick and tool of the trade that could be used by white collar corporate heavy hitters, but that’s precisely why Glory Braddock wants and needs her. Catalina De Luca knows how to deal with people like that. Glory does too but she isn’t sure she can handle them AND keep control of her soul at the same time. Catalina can.
“Well, this makes things a little awkward…” Melody says, her own voice trailing off. Glory frowns, studying her closely.
“What do you mean?”
“I’m in Charlotte for some business and seeing as I’m a business partner of your company I thought I would see how your little corporate machine is operating. What I learned was shocking. Apparently a few influential members of the Board of Directors recently stepped down.”
“Really?” Glory is taken aback by this. “Who?”
“Richard. Amber. Reid.” Melody states matter of factly. Glory nods her head knowingly.
“Yeah, I know them all too well. They are fierce Matthew Alan loyalists and have never stopped giving me grief. They were always questioning my judgment calls and my decisions. They undermined me at every turn all because they want Matthew Alan or one of his sisters in charge again. I sold Aurora Alan, Matthew’s youngest sister, a minority share of stock, making her a minority co-owner, hoping that would appease them. And it worked for a long time.”
“Well you don’t have to worry about them any longer.” Melody sighs. “They quit.’
“You didn’t influence this, did you babe?” Kurt asks Glory. The British Bombshell shakes her head.
“No, absolutely not! I mean, I may not trust the Alan Family but I do respect traditions and I respect how strongly certain people feel about the family that originally built my company. That’s why I never tried to run them off the board. That’s why I sold Aurora Alan a minority ownership. I did it as an olive branch, to illustrate that I understand their feelings and I am willing to work with them.”
“Well someone certainly pressured them to quit because the last time I checked they were happy with the arrangements.” Melody remarks.
“I assure you, I didn’t get involved.” Glory remarks. “I have been actively trying to avoid getting involved. That’s why I hired Cat in the first place.”
“So do you think…do you think Catalina De Luca could have forced them out?”
“Surely not…”
“But you did hire her to work on your behalf. She is your chief of staff, you told her that she was to run the company as you wanted it to be run. You told her that anything she does would carry the weight of YOUR authority.” Kurt states. “Maybe she thought that getting rid of your enemies is what you wanted?”
“I suppose…” Braddock shrugs her shoulders out of frustration “...I suppose it’s possible. I mean, I did ask her to handle things for me. I wanted her to insulate me from the corporate drama. But I didn’t expect her to go firing people.”
“Maybe the problem is you weren’t very specific with your instructions?”Melody suggests. “Based on what you just told me, I could easily see how she might think getting rid of those people might be what you wanted. Maybe she thought she was helping.”
“Maybe.” Glory nods her head. “Maybe I should talk to her?”
“It’s a good idea.” Melody nods her head. “But before you do, you might want to talk to Aurora Alan first.”
“Oh?”
“Yeah.” Melody nods her head. “I have heard that things are not well with her, either. Apparently she didn’t like how Richard, Amber, and Reid were forced out.”
The soft murmur of the Charlotte bar suddenly felt less like a comforting blanket and more like a rising tide of static. Glory stared at her glass, the melting ice clinking softly against the sides as the weight of Melody’s words truly settled in. She had hired Catalina De Luca to build a wall between her wrestling career and the corporate vipers of Glorious Global Enterprises. Instead, it seemed Cat had brought a sledgehammer to the boardroom, swinging it with the terrifying precision of someone raised at the feet of organized crime. The pieces fit together with a sickening neatness. Cat hadn't just insulated Glory; she had interpreted her childhood friend's exhaustion as an unwritten mandate to eliminate the opposition. In the high stakes world of corporate governance, forcing out entrenched Board members like Richard, Amber, and Reid wasn't just a restructuring; it was an act of war.
What happened next would inevitably ripple far beyond the glass-and-steel offices of her corporate empire. By allowing Cat to operate with the full weight of her authority, Glory had unwittingly authorized a corporate purge. The Alan family loyalists were gone, but they would not go quietly, and Aurora Alan, the minority co-owner Glory had worked so hard to placate with an olive branch, was now holding a smoking gun she fully intended to point back at the British Bombshell. Glory had sought peace to rediscover her passion for the canvas, but the political fallout was threatening to bleed directly into the ring. Going forward, the landscape for Glory Braddock is profoundly altered, split across two equally dangerous fronts. In the arena, her path remains clear but perilous. She still has her sights locked onto SCW World Champion Amelia Nevado, an impending clash with Luz, and next week's highly anticipated, old-school wrestling showcase against her longtime rival, the Underground Champion Asher Hayes. But the quiet confidence Glory felt just moments ago is now shadowed by an inescapable truth: she cannot fight with absolute focus when her own house is burning down. The immediate future demands a reckoning. Glory’s first step must be a confrontation with Catalina; not just to demand answers, but to establish boundaries before Cat's "insulation" turns into complete isolation. Yet, even if Glory manages to rein in her fiercely loyal Chief of Staff, the damage with the Alan faction is done. Aurora Alan is a cornered executive with legacy bloodlines, and a furious co-owner is a liability that can manipulate contracts, freeze assets, or orchestrate administrative chaos just as Glory climbs the championship ladder.
![[Image: qyA5u6K.png]](https://i.imgur.com/qyA5u6K.png)
SCW World Champion 1x
SCW United States Champion 1x
SCW Adrenaline Champion 1x
SCW Television Champion 1x
SCW Underground Champion 1x
SCW World Tag Team Champion 1x (w/Brittany Lohan)
Supreme Champion
2019 Trios Tournament Winner (w/ Regan Street & Kellen Jeffries)
2020 Trios Tournament Winner (w/ Ace Marshall & David Helms)
SCW Adrenaline Champion 1x
SCW Television Champion 1x
SCW Underground Champion 1x
SCW World Tag Team Champion 1x (w/Brittany Lohan)
Supreme Champion
2019 Trios Tournament Winner (w/ Regan Street & Kellen Jeffries)
2020 Trios Tournament Winner (w/ Ace Marshall & David Helms)