Chapter 2: The Weight of Evidence
The security guards approached, their hands resting on their belts, hesitant to touch a woman who suddenly radiated an aura of quiet, lethal authority. Richard took a step forward, his boot crushing a crystal flute. "Well? Are you deaf? Remove them!"
Evelyn stood up slowly, lifting Lily into her arms. She ignored the guards and looked directly at Richard. Her voice was not a scream; it was a blade. "A thief, Richard? Is that why you’re shaking? You aren't afraid of a child stealing your money. You’re afraid of the world seeing what you actually own."
She held up the silver flash drive between her thumb and forefinger. The ballroom seemed to tilt. Richard’s face, previously a mask of righteous fury, went paper-white.
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"Give that to me," he hissed, lunging forward.
Evelyn stepped back, her movement fluid and precise. "You shouldn't have been so careless with your secrets, Richard. You spent so much time building your empire on lies that you forgot the foundation was made of glass." She turned to the room, her voice carrying clear as a bell. "Who here wants to know why Richard Vance has been laundering millions through the Atlantic Shipping account?"
