Chapter 14 - THE GALA OF LIARS|
The Vale Foundation gala glittered beneath crystal chandeliers.
Politicians, investors, celebrities, and socialites filled the ballroom. Waiters moved between tables carrying champagne. A string quartet played beside the staircase.
Emma entered wearing the black dress and her mother's small silver pendant.
She had never felt so out of place.
Vincent Vale stood near the stage, accepting congratulations from men who would have crossed the street to avoid him a year earlier. He was in his early sixties, silver-haired, broad-shouldered, and charming in the effortless way of someone who had never been told no.
Dominic's absence had only made him more powerful.
Emma approached the stage.
Vincent noticed her immediately.
“Miss Hayes,” he said, smiling as if they were old friends. “I was wondering when we'd meet.”
“You knew my mother.”
“I knew many people.”
“You knew Daniel Hayes, too.”
His smile remained fixed.
“I'm afraid I don't recognize the name.”
“That's interesting. My father died on October seventeenth, the same night he was supposed to deliver evidence against Arthur Vale.”
Vincent's eyes sharpened.
“You should be careful with accusations.”
“I'm being careful. That's why I brought evidence.”
She held up the flash drive.
For the first time, his smile faltered.
A waiter passed nearby. Vincent took a glass from the tray and leaned toward her.
“You have no idea what you're holding.”
“Then explain it.”
“Not here.”
“Why? Afraid everyone might hear?”
His hand closed around her wrist.
“Your mother made the same mistake. She believed truth was more important than survival.”
Emma kept her voice steady.
“And you believed murder was a reasonable response.”
His fingers tightened.
“Walk away.”
“Or what?”
Vincent released her with a smile that looked almost affectionate.
“Enjoy the evening, Miss Hayes.”
He turned toward the stage.
Emma moved to the sound technician's booth, where Detective Reed's contact waited. The flash drive was connected to a laptop. The first recording began to play through the ballroom speakers.
Vincent's voice filled the room.
“Daniel has the records. Arthur wants him stopped.”
Another voice answered.
“Do you want him dead?”
Vincent's reply was unmistakable.
“I want the problem gone before morning.”
The music stopped.
Every conversation in the ballroom died at once.
Vincent turned toward the sound booth.
“Turn that off!”
The recording continued.
“If Daniel disappears, Margaret will run. Find her before she can reach the authorities.”
A second voice spoke.
“And the girl?”
Vincent hesitated.
“Leave her alone. She's a child.”
The words sent a chill through Emma.
Her father had died, her mother had disappeared, and the man responsible had known she existed all along.
Vincent strode toward the sound booth.
Security officers moved to block him.
Detective Reed stepped into the aisle with a warrant.
“Vincent Vale, you're under arrest for conspiracy, evidence tampering, and your suspected involvement in the death of Daniel Hayes.”
The room erupted.
Cameras flashed. Guests shouted questions. Vincent's face twisted with fury.
“You think this recording proves anything?”
Emma stepped forward.
“It proves you knew.”
He stared at her.
Then he smiled.
“You think you've won?”
Two officers took his arms.
Vincent leaned close enough for only Emma to hear.
“Ask Dominic why he was at the hospital the night your mother died.”
The words struck her like a slap.
“What?”
Vincent was dragged away before she could ask another question.
The ballroom remained in chaos.
Emma stood beneath the chandeliers, her hands trembling.
She had exposed the man who had helped destroy her family.
May you like
But his final words had opened another door.
And behind it waited the one truth she had never wanted to question.
