Chapter 7 - The Gala Trap
The terrifying photograph on my phone proved that Arthur’s assassins were already inside my perimeter.
I did not scream, and I did not allow the paralyzing fear to conquer my rational mind.
I calmly deleted the message and slipped the phone into my designer clutch.
My private tactical team had already swept the downtown hotel, replacing the standard valet and catering staff with armed professionals.
I stepped out of my armored SUV and walked onto the red carpet, flashing a brilliant, confident smile for the flashing cameras.
The grand ballroom was breathtakingly beautiful, decorated in gold and white to celebrate my company's massive success.
I gracefully navigated through the sea of wealthy investors, shaking hands and making small talk as if my life were not in imminent danger.
From the corner of my eye, I spotted Arthur standing near the champagne tower, looking incredibly nervous.
He was wearing a custom tuxedo, trying desperately to blend in with the high society crowd he so deeply craved.
Brooke was nowhere to be seen, likely hiding in the hospital or fleeing the state with her stolen cartel money.
I grabbed a glass of champagne from a passing waiter and walked directly toward my treacherous husband.
Arthur's eyes widened in genuine shock when he saw me approaching him with a serene, fearless expression.
He awkwardly adjusted his bowtie, trying to fake a polite smile for the surrounding investors.
I leaned in close to his ear, my voice dripping with absolute venom and quiet authority.
I whispered that I knew everything about his gambling debts, his sterility, and the cartel hitmen waiting in the shadows.
Arthur’s fake smile instantly vanished, replaced by the sheer, unadulterated terror of a man whose execution date had just been moved up.
He stammered, trying to deny the accusations, but his trembling hands completely betrayed his guilt.
I told him that he had exactly two choices if he wanted to walk out of this ballroom alive.
He could sign over his remaining shares of the company and confess to the embezzlement on video right now.
Or, I could signal my undercover security team to step aside and let his cartel friends collect their unpaid debts from him directly.
Arthur looked frantically around the room, finally noticing the muscular men disguised as waiters blocking every exit.
He realized he was completely trapped in a cage of his own making, surrounded by enemies on all sides.
Tears of pathetic desperation welled up in his eyes as he begged me not to throw him to the wolves.
I pulled the legal transfer documents from my clutch and slapped a gold pen onto the cocktail table.
Arthur picked up the pen with shaking fingers, ready to sign away his entire life to save his own skin.
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Just as the pen touched the paper, the grand ballroom doors blew open with a deafening crash.
Brooke stormed into the room, holding a silver handgun pointed directly at my chest.
