Chapter 8 - THE BALLROOM VIDEO|
The press conference was scheduled for noon.
Vincent arrived with Nora, Paulie, and a legal team. He did not bring armed men into the building. He wanted the cameras to see a businessman, not a mobster.
Beatrice stood at the podium.
When Nora entered, several reporters turned.
Beatrice smiled.
“Well, look who decided to come out of hiding.”
Nora walked to the microphone.
“My name is Nora Hayes. I work at the Russo estate. I was present the night Mrs. Russo was humiliated.”
Beatrice laughed.
“Of course you were.”
Nora looked directly at her.
“You spilled your wine. You insulted a woman who couldn't defend herself. Then you ordered her to pick up broken glass.”
“That's a lie.”
Vincent's attorney signaled to the technician.
The ballroom footage appeared on the large screen.
Every moment was visible.
Camila's confusion.
Beatrice's laughter.
Her cruel words.
Nora stepping forward.
The broken glass cutting her hands.
The room watched in silence.
Then the video showed something nobody had noticed that night.
A man standing behind Beatrice.
He slipped a small object into her handbag.
The footage paused.
Vincent's security chief enlarged the image.
It was Eddie Knox, the Chicago soldier who had entered the east wing.
Nora turned toward Beatrice.
“Your people were inside the house before the party. Someone arranged for Mrs. Russo to be left alone.”
Beatrice's expression hardened.
“You have no proof I ordered anything.”
“Not yet.”
Vincent stepped forward.
“But we have enough to ask questions.”
He presented the security logs and the evidence that the nurse had received a call from a Chicago number.
Beatrice's attorney interrupted.
“This is a private family dispute.”
“No,” Vincent said. “It's an attempt to destabilize a peace agreement and intimidate an elderly woman.”
The reporters began shouting questions.
Beatrice turned to leave.
Nora spoke again.
“You should have left Camila alone.”
Beatrice stopped.
Then she leaned close to Nora.
“You have no idea what you're involved in, little girl.”
Nora didn't move.
“I know my mother was afraid of you.”
Beatrice's face changed.
For a fraction of a second, fear appeared beneath the diamonds.
Then she walked away.
The press conference ended with no clear victory, but the footage spread across the city. Public sympathy shifted toward Camila, and the Chicago organization faced questions from its own members.
That evening, Vincent received a call from Carmine Gallow.
“Your maid has caused a problem.”
“She's not your concern.”
“Beatrice says you have evidence against her.”
“I do.”
Carmine lowered his voice.
“Then bring it to Chicago. We can settle this quietly.”
Vincent looked toward Nora.
She was sitting with Camila, helping her fold a blanket.
“Why should I trust you?”
“Because if you don't, people will die.”
The call ended.
Paulie entered the room.
“Boss, we traced Eddie Knox's phone.”
Vincent looked up.
May you like
“Where?”
“Inside the estate.”
