Chapter 30 - THE CELEBRATION AND THE THREAT
The gala reached its peak as Maya stepped up to the podium set near the grand marble pillar. The crowd quieted down, their glasses held high as they prepared to listen to the young CEO's address.
"Tonight, we do not just celebrate the rebirth of a company," Maya spoke warmly, her voice broadcasting through the high-tech sound system. "We celebrate the triumph of truth, courage, and accountability over darkness."
The audience erupted into enthusiastic applause, their cheering echoing off the glass walls of the atrium. Maya smiled, raising her glass to toast the crowd before stepping down from the stage to join her guests.
As she stepped near the velvet lounge area, her black smartphone chimed inside her clutch purse with a high-priority satellite notification. She pulled out the device, opening an encrypted text message sent from an unlisted number in Geneva.
May you like
The text contained a single high-resolution photograph taken from inside the gala lobby less than ten seconds ago—a photo of Maya standing at the podium, focused through the crosshairs of a long-range sniper scope.
Below the photograph, a message flashed in dark red lettering: "CELEBRATIONS ARE PREMATURE, MAYA. YOUR FATHER NEVER TOLD YOU ABOUT YOUR TWIN BROTHER."
