Chapter 8 - The Gala Crashers
Rachel watched the horrifying security footage replay entirely on a loop, the chilling reality sinking completely into her bones.
Daniel had deliberately locked her inside the house to ensure she would burn alive while he safely waited outside.
The only reason he had survived the smoke inhalation was because he accidentally got trapped on the porch when the roof unexpectedly collapsed.
"We have to take this directly to the police," Sarah whispered, staring at the screen in absolute horror.
"Arthur Sterling owns the entire local police department," Rachel replied coldly, closing the laptop with a definitive snap.
"If we hand this drive over to them, it conveniently disappears forever, and we both end up completely dead."
Rachel knew exactly what she had to do to permanently destroy the powerful Sterling family.
She needed an incredibly public stage where their massive wealth absolutely could not silence the truth.
Tonight was the highly publicized, incredibly lavish annual charity gala hosted by Daniel's talent agency.
Every major news outlet, wealthy investor, and prominent city official would be actively drinking champagne in that ballroom.
Rachel drove straight back to her parents' house, practically dragging Sarah safely inside the locked doors.
She marched directly into her closet and pulled out a stunning, deep crimson evening gown from her previous life as a model.
She did not bother to cover her heavily scarred face or wrap her burned arm in bandages.
She applied her striking makeup flawlessly to the right side of her face, leaving the severe burns on the left completely, proudly exposed.
When she finally arrived at the extravagant downtown hotel, the massive ballroom was heavily guarded by private security.
Rachel confidently walked right past the shocked guards, her fierce, unblinking gaze absolutely terrifying them into submission.
She aggressively pushed open the massive double doors, stepping directly into the glittering, incredibly crowded ballroom.
The loud string quartet instantly stopped playing as the entire room went completely, uncomfortably silent.
Daniel and Chloe were standing proudly on the main stage, holding elegant champagne flutes and smiling brightly for the flashing cameras.
Daniel’s fake, charming smile completely vanished the second he saw his scarred wife marching fiercely down the center aisle.
He aggressively grabbed Chloe’s arm and quickly retreated toward a private VIP room located directly behind the stage.
Rachel aggressively followed them, pushing past the stunned, whispering crowds of wealthy elites.
She kicked the heavy wooden door of the VIP room open, locking it securely behind her with a loud click.
Daniel turned around, dropping his charming facade entirely as a deeply sinister, arrogant smirk spread across his face.
"You really are completely insane, Rachel," Daniel laughed cruelly.
"Absolutely no one out there is going to believe a scarred, hysterical monster over a highly respected businessman."
Rachel smiled back, her eyes burning with an intense, unstoppable fire.
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"You are absolutely right, Daniel, they won't believe just me," Rachel said confidently.
She slowly reached into her crimson gown and pulled out a small, blinking electronic device.
