Chapter 3: The Silent Observer
Sophia, a socialite known for her near-mythic silence and her presence at every major deal in the city, stood near the edge of the terrace. While the rest of the room was in a frenzy, she hadn't moved. She watched Victor’s panic with a cold, detached amusement.
She wasn't just a guest; she was the architect. She had known about the fall, she had known about the necklace, and she had known that Victor would react exactly the way he did.
"The footage is already with the network, Victor," Sophia said, stepping out of the shadows. Her voice was quiet, but it commanded the room. "And the drive? Well, the EMT is a federal asset. You’ve been playing chess against a machine, and you never even realized the board was rigged."
Victor looked at Sophia, his face turning an ash-gray. He had thought he was the apex predator, but he was merely the bait. He had been so obsessed with eliminating Elena that he hadn't noticed the trap that had been laid for him years before the gala even began.
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"You..." Victor choked out. "You set this up."
"I simply provided the opportunity," Sophia replied. "You provided the crime."
