Chapter 9 - Checkmate in High Society
Two weeks later, the scandal had reached a boiling point, but the public knew nothing of the murder investigation. To the outside world, Julian Vance was hosting the annual Vance Foundation Charity Gala at the grand Ritz-Carlton ballroom. It was the premier event of the season, and the media was in a frenzy over rumors that Elena would show up to contest her messy public breakup.
She did.
Halfway through the evening, the ballroom doors swung open, and Elena stepped in, wearing a stunning blood-red gown, accompanied by none other than Julian’s chief corporate rival, billionaire Richard Sterling. Elena held her head high, a camera crew trailing behind her as she prepared to stage a public humiliation, intending to announce that Julian had abused her and assaulted her reputation.
She marched straight toward the raised dais where Julian stood. But as the crowd parted, whispers erupted. Standing beside Julian wasn’t a security guard or a PR manager. It was Nora. She was breathtaking, draped in a backless midnight-blue silk gown that complemented her sharp, intelligent eyes, a diamond necklace glittering at her throat.
Elena halted a few feet away, her lip curling in disgust. “What is the meaning of this, Julian? You brought the help to a black-tie gala? Richard and I are here to announce our new controlling acquisition of Vance shares—shares I secured through Sarah’s trust before you illegally evicted me!”
Julian smiled—a cold, ruthless smile that made Richard Sterling instinctively step away from Elena.
“You don't own a single share, Elena,” Julian said smoothly into the microphone at the podium, his voice echoing over the silent ballroom. “Because under the morality and criminality clause of my late wife’s trust, any beneficiary indicted for a felony automatically forfeits all assets back to my son, Leo.”
Elena laughed harshly. “Indicted? For what? Your fabricated theft of a brooch?”
“No,” Julian replied, gesturing to the massive projector screens flanking the stage. “For murder.”
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The screens flickered to life. The high-definition video of Dr. Aris confessing to selling Elena untraceable aconite filled the room, followed by crystal-clear audio of Elena’s own recorded phone calls with Richard Sterling, discussing the planned assassination of Julian’s character and the poisoning of his wife.
The ballroom descended into absolute chaos.
