Chapter 2: The guest list was evidence
The steel barriers remained blocked.
But now nobody was trying to leave.
They were too busy looking at the screens.
My father's voice sounded again.
Every person in this room received a choice tonight: intervene, report, or ignore.
The screens were divided into dozens of camera angles.
Guests watching as Preston attacked me.
Guests looking away.
Guests laughing.
Guests raising champagne glasses while I wiped the blood from my mouth.
A famous senator lowered his head.
A film producer discreetly removed his hand from his wife's shoulder.
One judge remained so still that he seemed carved from stone.
Preston's mother made her way through the crowd towards me.
"Stupid little girl," Helena hissed. "You have no idea what you've just started."
I barely smiled.
No, Ms. Vale. You don't have it.
His expression changed.
Just a flash.
But I saw it.
That's when my father entered the ballroom.
Not through a door.
From behind the stage.
Arthur Cross walked slowly towards the light, dressed in a black suit and with the serene face of a man who had already won before the others knew the game had begun.
Behind him came twelve security officers.
They weren't bodyguards.
They were researchers.
Each one carried sealed folders.
My father stopped beside me and looked at my bruised face.
His jaw tightened.
Only once.
Then he turned towards Preston.
You touched my daughter.
Preston tried to laugh, but no sound came out.
Helena stepped forward.
Arthur, let's talk about this in private.
My father looked at her.
We already discussed this privately. Five years ago. When your son almost killed Claire Donovan.
The room got cold.
A woman in the background covered her mouth.
Preston's face contorted.
She was lying.
"No," I said softly.
Everyone turned towards me.
I reached into my bag and pulled out a small silver USB drive.
She was my best friend.
Preston stared at her.
For the first time, she stopped pretending.
He knew it.
Claire had disappeared after accusing him.
The official version said that he had left the city.
The truth was darker.
I looked at the crowd.
I didn't come here tonight as a guest.
May you like
I picked up the USB drive.
I came here as bait.
