Chapter 7 - The Unraveling
The Grand Gala at the Metropolitan Museum was supposed to be Vivian Calloway’s crowning achievement—a charity gala where she intended to announce her interim appointment as CEO of Ashford Global due to my "sudden medical incapacitation."
The ballroom was filled with hundreds of city elites, high-society reporters, and politicians. Vivian stood at the center of the stage in an emerald velvet gown, flashing a brilliant, radiant smile for the flashing cameras. Beside her stood Marcus Doyle, impeccably tailored, watching the crowd like a hawk.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Vivian spoke smoothly into the microphone, her voice dripping with practiced sorrow. "It is with a heavy heart that I announce my fiancé, Julian Ashford, has suffered a severe psychological collapse following recent stress..."
"The only collapse happening tonight, Vivian, is yours."
My voice resonated through the house speakers, cutting through the hall like a razor.
The crowd gasped as the giant projection screens behind the stage suddenly flickered and shifted. Instead of the Ashford charity logo, the screens displayed high-definition audio and video footage recorded three nights ago in the cellar of Hollow Crest Manor.
Marcus’s voice boomed through the ballroom speakers: "Sweetheart, we already talked about this. Your mommy's in Pennsylvania..." followed by Vivian’s cold response from another recording: "Keep the maid locked down until the transfer clears. If Julian asks, she quit."
The room erupted into chaos. Reporters screamed questions, flashbulbs went wild, and the high-society crowd backed away from the stage in horror.
Vivian’s face drained of all color. "Turn it off! TURN IT OFF!" she shrieked.
Marcus pulled his sidearm, but before he could raise it, federal agents in tactical gear swarmed through every entrance of the ballroom, led by Silas and Federal Prosecutor Sarah Jenkins—whom Renata had contacted hours prior with the decrypted ciphers.
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"Marcus Doyle! Vivian Calloway! Drop your weapons!" the agents commanded.
Marcus looked around wildly, realizing the trap had snapped shut. In a desperate surge, he grabbed Vivian, shoved her toward the police officers, and bolted through the rear emergency exit.
