Chapter 8 - The Gala Distraction
The Vance Estate was transformed into a glittering spectacle of wealth and excess. Hundreds of politicians, CEOs, and socialites filled the grand ballroom, sipping champagne under massive crystal chandeliers.
Clara stood on the grand staircase, wearing a simple black dress, watching the crowd. Julian stood beside her, clad in a miniature tuxedo, looking miserable.
"He knows who I am," Clara whispered to Julian without moving her lips. "Graves knows. They’re going to get rid of me tonight."
Julian’s eyes widened in panic. "No! You can't leave me here with him!"
"I’m not leaving you," Clara promised, squeezing his hand. "But we have to move now. While the house is full of witnesses, they can't do anything drastic. We are leaving tonight."
"But what about my mom?" Julian whispered, tears welling in his eyes.
Clara looked across the room. She spotted Arthur Vance shaking hands with a senator. "I need one last piece of proof. I need to get into Graves’s office in the basement. He keeps the physical ledgers there."
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"I'll cause a distraction," Julian said, his voice suddenly hardening with a maturity that broke Clara’s heart.
Before she could stop him, Julian let go of her hand and sprinted down the stairs, heading straight for the massive, five-tier champagne fountain in the center of the room.
