Chapter 13 - The Crimson Gown
The private investment firm’s annual gala was held in the grand ballroom of the city’s most luxurious hotel.
Stella stepped out of a rented limousine, her crimson gown flowing elegantly around her.
She looked every inch the wealthy, sophisticated socialite she was pretending to be.
Hidden beneath the expensive silk fabric was a compact, military-grade data cloner strapped securely to her thigh.
She carried a small, elegant clutch containing a highly encrypted earpiece that connected her directly to Jonah.
"I am entering the lobby now," Stella murmured softly, adjusting her diamond earrings.
"Security is extremely tight," Jonah’s voice crackled clearly in her ear.
"Avoid the metal detectors at the main entrance; use the service elevator corridor to the left."
Stella smoothly altered her path, bypassing the crowded main doors and slipping unnoticed into the dimly lit service hallway.
She used a customized electronic keycard Jonah had provided to override the heavy security door.
She stepped out onto the mezzanine level, directly overlooking the opulent, crowded ballroom.
"I am in," Stella confirmed, scanning the room for her designated target.
"You are looking for Senator Hayes," Jonah instructed.
"He carries the master access fob to the private server room on the top floor."
Stella quickly identified the Senator, a tall, arrogant-looking man surrounded by wealthy donors.
She confidently descended the grand staircase, turning heads as she moved gracefully through the crowd.
She approached the Senator, offering him a charming, completely fabricated smile.
"Senator Hayes, it is such a pleasure to finally meet you," Stella said, offering her hand.
The Senator practically melted under her intense, focused attention.
He eagerly engaged her in conversation, completely unaware that she was professionally assessing his security measures.
"The access fob is clipped to his inner left jacket pocket," Stella whispered discreetly into her clutch.
"You need to create a significant distraction to lift it without his security detail noticing," Jonah advised.
Stella spotted a waiter carrying a large tray of expensive champagne flutes navigating through the dense crowd.
She intentionally stepped backward, colliding forcefully with the waiter.
The tray crashed to the floor in a spectacular shower of shattered glass and spilled alcohol.
In the ensuing chaos and apologies, Stella smoothly bumped against the Senator’s chest.
Her skilled fingers quickly unclipped the access fob and slipped it seamlessly into her palm.
"I have the fob," Stella confirmed, quickly excusing herself from the startled Senator.
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"Head directly to the private elevators," Jonah commanded, the tension clear in his voice.
Stella moved rapidly toward the restricted access area, completely unaware that she was being closely followed.
