Chapter 12 - THE SHADOW IN BOSTON
Two months later, the Vance family relocated temporarily to their private penthouse overlooking Boston Harbor for the annual Maritime Commerce Summit. Evelyn was scheduled to deliver the keynote address regarding international shipping security.
The ballroom of the Boston Harbor Hotel was filled with foreign diplomats, trade ministers, and American business leaders. Julian sat in the front row with Lily, proudly watching Evelyn deliver her speech with flawless charisma and authority.
"Our industry must remain vigilant against unseen networks that seek to manipulate global trade from the shadows," Evelyn declared passionately to the applauding audience.
After the speech, as Evelyn walked toward the backstage green room to meet her security team, a tall waiter in a black tuxedo offered her a glass of sparkling water on a silver tray.
Evelyn politely waved her hand. "No, thank you, I have my own water."
The waiter leaned closer, his voice dropping into a low, raspy whisper that instantly froze the blood in Evelyn's veins.
"You shouldn't drink public water anyway, Evelyn," the waiter murmured. "It makes it far too easy to slip the amnesia serum into your system, just like we did five years ago in Boston."
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Evelyn spun around in shock, but the waiter had already melted into the thick crowd of diplomats, leaving the silver tray resting on a nearby marble counter.
On the tray sat a single black envelope sealed with a red wax emblem featuring a striking two-headed falcon.
