Chapter 6 - Trapped in the SpotlightThe next evening, the grand ballroom of the Pierre Hotel was a sea of glittering diamonds, expensive black tuxedos, and flowing champagne. Judith Vance had organized the annual Winter Gala, a high-profile charity event designed to finalize the fifty-million-dollar investment deal with her private equity partners.
Ethan stood near the grand ice sculpture in the center of the room, holding a glass of scotch, his face holding a tight, practiced corporate smile. But beneath the mask, his eyes were bloodshot, darting frantically toward the entrance every time the heavy double doors swung open.
“Smile, Ethan,” Vanessa whispered, her hand gripping his arm so tightly her knuckles were white. “The investors are watching us from the VIP lounge. If you look panicked, they’ll know something is wrong.”
“I can't find the drives, Vanessa,” Ethan hissed back, taking a heavy swallow of his drink. “Maya moved them. Everything is gone from the safe. If she hands those files to the feds before the contracts are signed tonight, we are ruined.”
“She won't,” Vanessa insisted, trying to look serene for a passing photographer. “She’s your wife. She’s probably just trying to scare you into a bigger divorce settlement. Just play the doting husband for two more hours.”
But as Vanessa spoke, the classical music playing from the string quartet suddenly died down, replaced by a low, rhythmic hum from the ballroom’s massive presentation screens.
The lights in the ballroom dimmed automatically, signaling the start of the corporate keynote. Judith walked up to the microphone on the main stage, her midnight-blue gown reflecting the spotlight.
“Good evening, ladies and gentlemen,” Judith smiled, her voice echoing perfectly through the silent room. “Tonight, as we celebrate our firm's expansion, we are proud to introduce the new majority shareholder and chief compliance officer of Vance Developments.”
The massive screens behind her flickered to life. But instead of the corporate promotional video the investors were expecting, a crystal-clear, high-definition security video filled the room.
It was the unedited footage from our penthouse hallway, dated the night of our return from Bali.
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The audio was incredibly sharp, booming through the ballroom's premium sound system. The entire high-society crowd froze, their wineglasses stopping mid-air as Ethan’s loud, aggressive voice filled the room: “Time to learn the rules of being a wife... when I tell you something, you obey!”
Then came the sharp, sickening sound of the leather belt snapping against his hands.
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