Chapter 27 - SHADOWS AT THE GATE
Outside the high wrought-iron gates of the Hamptons estate, a black town car idled quietly in the shadows.
Inside the vehicle, a lone figure watched the glowing lights of the ballroom through tinted windows.
A gloved hand held an encrypted tablet displaying live news broadcasts of Victoria's speech.
The passenger leaned forward, whispering into a secure satellite phone connected to an undisclosed European location.
"Target is secure and heavily guarded," a modulated voice spoke into the receiver. "Initiating secondary protocol."
"Proceed with caution," a cold voice replied from the other end of the line. "The game in America has only just begun."
Back inside the ballroom, Victoria raised her champagne glass in a toast to the assembled guests.
A sudden, faint chill brushed past her shoulders, causing her to pause mid-sentence for a fraction of a second.
May you like
She turned her head toward the grand arched windows, staring out into the dark, moonlit gardens.
Nothing was visible except the gentle sway of the outdoor string lights and the distant sound of crashing waves.
