Chapter 4: The Gala of Exposure
The Annual Founders’ Gala was the most prestigious event in the city. Julian Thorne would be the keynote speaker. It was the perfect stage—thousands of guests, live broadcast, and the entire board of directors in attendance.
Vanessa arrived in a dress of deep, midnight blue—a stark contrast to the emerald disaster of her wedding night. She didn't sneak in. She walked through the front doors, her head held high.
Julian spotted her from the stage, his hand faltering on the microphone. He signaled his security, but they were blocked by a swarm of journalists. Marcus had leaked the story to every major news outlet in the country ten minutes before the event started.
As Julian tried to continue his speech, the massive LED screens behind him—the ones meant to show his company’s success—flickered. The interface changed.
The screens displayed bank records. The shell company transfers. A leaked recording of Selena and Julian laughing about the "emerald dress incident."
"She was so easy," the audio played, Julian’s voice echoing through the ballroom. "A little gaslighting, a little cake in the face, and the board won't even look at her side of the story."
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The room erupted. The silence of the wedding was replaced by the roar of scandal.
Vanessa walked to the center of the room, her eyes locking onto Julian’s. He looked like a man who had just seen a ghost. The police officers, who had been waiting in the wings, didn't need to push through the crowd. The guests parted for them.
