Chapter 11 - The GalaThe Grand Chicago Hotel was a fortress of luxury and deceit. Thanks to Marcus’s connections, I walked through the front doors wearing a stunning black evening gown, an earpiece hidden beneath my hair, and a fake VIP credential hanging around my neck.
The ballroom was dazzling, overflowing with champagne, silk, and hypocrisy. I navigated the crowd, my heart pounding a frantic rhythm against my ribs.
"Audio hack is prepped," Marcus’s voice buzzed in my ear. "Ten minutes to showtime."
Suddenly, the crowd parted. Arthur Pendelton walked into the room, flanked by heavily armed bodyguards in tuxedos.
He looked impeccably handsome, flashing that same charismatic smile that had fooled my sister all those years ago. He stepped up to the podium, tapping the microphone.
"Ladies and gentlemen," Arthur’s voice boomed, charming and confident. "Thank you for coming tonight. We are here to talk about the future."
I stepped out from behind a massive floral arrangement, walking straight down the center aisle. Arthur’s eyes scanned the crowd and locked onto mine.
His charismatic smile faltered. His face drained of color.
May you like
I smiled back, cold and hollow.
"Hit it, Marcus," I whispered into my collar.
