Chapter 8 - The Sabotage
I forced a polite, apologetic smile and slowly set the tray down on a nearby table.
I reached into the pocket of my black vest with trembling fingers.
I pulled out the counterfeit security badge Vance had forged for me that morning.
The guard snatched it from my hand and scrutinized it under the hallway light.
My stomach twisted into painful knots while I waited for him to call for backup.
After what felt like an eternity, he grunted and handed the badge back to me.
He stepped aside and told me to make my delivery quick.
I nodded silently and hurried up the carpeted stairs to the balcony level.
I slipped into the darkened audiovisual control room overlooking the entire ballroom.
The technician was out on a smoke break, leaving the main server completely unguarded.
I pulled Evelyn's flash drive from my pocket and plugged it directly into the master console.
Down below, the crowd fell silent as Julian confidently walked up to the podium.
He tapped the microphone and smiled warmly at the wealthy investors.
He gave a sickeningly sweet speech about honoring his late mother's legacy.
He announced that he was officially transferring majority ownership to Richard Thorne's conglomerate.
Sienna clapped enthusiastically from the front row.
I loaded the video file on the computer and placed my finger over the play button.
I was ready to broadcast Julian's murderous confession to the entire world.
I pressed the button firmly.
Instantly, the massive screens behind the stage flickered to life.
Before Evelyn's face could even appear, a loud metallic crack echoed through the room.
The power to the entire hotel was suddenly cut.
The ballroom was plunged into pitch-black darkness, followed by the screams of panicked guests.
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I froze in the dark control room, my hand still hovering over the keyboard.
I felt the cold, unmistakable steel barrel of a gun press hard against the back of my neck.
