Chapter 2 - The Ballroom Falls Into Stunned Silence
The heavy crystal chandelier above the grand ballroom seemed to hum with the sudden, suffocating tension that filled the air.
Vincent Moretti stood frozen beside the mahogany signing table, his fingers still hovering inches away from the silver fountain pen.
His eyes remained fixed on the cracked blue phone resting in the small, trembling hands of eight-year-old Emily Carter.
“Vince, if Bellamy is in the room, don’t say another word,” the recorded voice had declared before the audio cut off into static.
Charles Bellamy’s face drained of its professional composure, his smooth legal mask cracking under the sheer weight of exposure.
“Mr. Moretti, this is a reckless prank orchestrated by unstable staff to sabotage a legally binding union,” Charles stammered loudly.
Nobody in the room blinked, nor did anyone shift their weight against the polished marble floor tiles.
Isabella Romano clutched the silver pendant at her throat so tightly that her knuckles turned stark white.
“Dominic,” Vincent said without turning his head, his voice dropping into a register that commanded absolute, immediate obedience.
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Dominic Moretti stepped forward from the shadows near the arched doorway, his broad shoulders blocking the primary exit.
“Lock the doors, Dom,” Vincent commanded softly, his gaze locking directly onto his attorney. “Nobody leaves this estate.”
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