Chapter 2: The Footage No One Expected
Chapter 2: The Footage No One Expected
For the first time that night...
Fear crossed Preston's face.
Only for a second.
Then he laughed.
A sharp, arrogant laugh that echoed through the ballroom.
"CCTV?" he sneered. "You think some blurry security camera is going to save you?"
He looked around at the guests, inviting them to laugh with him.
A few did.
Most stayed silent.
The sirens outside grew louder.
The ballroom doors burst open.
Two paramedics rushed in with a stretcher while several Chicago police officers followed close behind.
The lead officer immediately knelt beside Sophie.
"She's bleeding from the head," he said into his radio. "Possible concussion. We need to move."
I kissed Sophie's forehead as the paramedics carefully wrapped a bandage around the wound.
She reached for my hand.
"Don't let Uncle Preston yell at me anymore."
The words made several nearby guests lower their heads in shame.
The officer stood and faced Preston.
"Sir, did you strike this child?"
Before I could answer, my father stepped forward.
"It was an accident."
My mother nodded immediately.
"Our granddaughter became aggressive after stealing Preston's phone."
Another lie.
Another excuse.
Just like every time Preston had hurt someone growing up.
The officer looked unconvinced.
"Is there surveillance in this ballroom?"
The hotel manager, pale as paper, finally stepped forward.
"Yes, Officer."
He pointed toward the ceiling.
"We have eight high-definition cameras covering every entrance and the reception floor."
Preston's confident smile faded.
The manager continued.
"The footage is backed up automatically to our secure server."
"It can't be erased from the ballroom."
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For the first time all evening...
Preston stopped talking.
