Chapter 3 - The Poisoned Toast
The horrifying realization that they were completely unprotected hit Evelyn like a physical blow to the chest.
Liam quickly pulled out his hidden earpiece and tossed it into a nearby trash can, knowing the communication line was now useless.
He strictly ordered Evelyn to stick closely to his father, Arthur, and absolutely refuse to eat or drink anything at the reception.
The massive ballroom was beautifully decorated with thousands of white roses, sparkling chandeliers, and elegant ice sculptures.
Wealthy guests clinked their champagne flutes, completely oblivious to the deadly game playing out around them.
Evelyn forced a polite smile as she greeted the various politicians and business moguls arriving at their tables.
She desperately scanned the crowded room, frantically searching for the lead federal agent Liam had mentioned earlier.
She spotted the agent's distinct red tie disappearing into the dimly lit coatroom near the back exit.
Evelyn quickly excused herself from a conversation and hurried toward the coatroom to beg for emergency backup.
She pushed the heavy wooden door open and stepped into the quiet, dark space filled with expensive jackets.
Her expensive heels slipped on something wet and sticky pooling completely across the hardwood floor.
Evelyn looked down and clamped both hands over her mouth to muffle a terrified scream.
The federal agent was lying motionless on the floor with a silver throwing knife buried deeply in his chest.
She backed out of the room in sheer panic, realizing that Maya's heavily armed operatives were already seamlessly blended into the catering staff.
Evelyn sprinted back into the main ballroom, desperately searching the crowd for her beloved husband.
Arthur was standing confidently on the main stage, gently tapping a silver spoon against his crystal champagne flute to request silence.
The entire ballroom quieted down as the wealthy patriarch prepared to deliver his traditional welcome speech.
Arthur spoke beautifully about his immense pride in Liam and his excitement to welcome Maya into their family.
Maya sat elegantly at the head table, smiling sweetly and wiping a completely fake tear of joy from her eye.
Evelyn pushed aggressively through the dense crowd, desperately trying to reach the stage before Arthur finished his speech.
"And now, please join me in a toast to the beautiful, happy couple," Arthur announced loudly into the microphone.
He raised his crystal glass and took a long, celebratory sip of the expensive vintage champagne.
Evelyn finally reached the edge of the stage and screamed his name, but it was already too late.
Arthur suddenly dropped his glass, the delicate crystal shattering violently against the hard stage floor.
He violently clutched his chest, his face turning an alarming shade of gray as he gasped for air.
Arthur collapsed heavily onto the stage, sending the nearby microphone stand crashing loudly into the front row.
The guests erupted into chaotic, horrified screams as pandemonium completely took over the ballroom.
Evelyn dropped to her knees beside her dying husband, crying hysterically as she held his shaking head.
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She looked up through her tears and made direct eye contact with Maya at the head table.
The beautiful bride simply raised her own glass, offering Evelyn a cold, highly sinister smile.
