Chapter 8 - The Digital Guillotine
The gigantic screens illuminated the dim ballroom with a series of high-definition video files.
The footage clearly showed Marcus Thorne in his private office, handing thick envelopes of cash to the police captain.
Another video displayed Marcus bragging to Briggs about stealing millions from the renovation budget.
A collective gasp echoed through the crowd of wealthy board members as the undeniable evidence played on a loop.
Lupita had taken Lily to the security control room instead of the laundry room.
With Ethan's distraction, Lupita had convinced the only honest technician left to broadcast the backup security drives.
Marcus screamed in panic, commanding the technicians to cut the power to the stage immediately.
He turned to the corrupt police captain, begging him to shoot the screens or arrest the housekeeper.
The captain, realizing his own career and freedom were now destroyed, aggressively shoved Marcus away.
The board members began shouting in outrage, demanding answers for the massive fraud they were witnessing.
Amidst the absolute chaos, Ethan stood perfectly still in his handcuffs.
He looked over at Patricia and Karla, the front desk receptionists who had sneaked into the back of the gala.
They were staring at the screens, slowly realizing the terrifying magnitude of the situation.
They had treated the man at the center of this massive corporate conspiracy like absolute garbage.
Ethan finally spoke, his deep voice carrying incredible authority even without a microphone.
He demanded that the police captain remove the handcuffs immediately.
The captain, sweating profusely and trembling with fear, quickly unlocked the heavy steel cuffs.
Ethan rubbed his bruised wrists and slowly walked toward the main stage.
The crowd parted for him in complete silence, sensing an overwhelming aura of power radiating from the ragged father.
He stepped up to the podium, gently took the microphone from Lupita, and thanked her softly.
Ethan looked out over the sea of corrupt managers, panicked board members, and terrified staff.
He introduced himself properly for the first time that night.
He stated clearly that his name was Ethan Vance, founder, CEO, and sole owner of the Grand Regent Corporation.
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The deafening silence that followed was broken by the sound of Marcus falling to his knees in pure shock.
Suddenly, Marcus grabbed a heavy steak knife from a nearby table and lunged directly at Ethan's back.
