Chapter 2: Beneath the Perfect Mask
The ballroom was transformed into a crime scene.
Police officers quietly escorted guests into the adjoining reception hall while forensic specialists collected the shattered glass and the remaining drops of orange juice.
An hour later, the preliminary report arrived.
The powder contained a fast-acting cardiac toxin.
Colorless.
Odorless.
Deadly.
A single sip would likely have caused sudden cardiac arrest within minutes.
Enough to resemble a tragic medical emergency.
Victor stared silently at the report.
He had negotiated billion-dollar mergers without blinking.
But this...
This betrayal came from the woman he had planned to marry in less than six weeks.
Detective Lena Brooks approached him.
"We'll need to question Miss Beaumont."
Celeste folded her arms.
"This is ridiculous."
"I've done nothing wrong."
But then another piece of evidence surfaced.
One of the banquet waiters admitted seeing Celeste dismiss every server except one she had personally recommended.
The replacement waiter had disappeared moments after the commotion.
His identification badge was fake.
Security searched the kitchen.
The man was gone.
Victor's eyes narrowed.
"This wasn't impulsive."
"It was planned."
Meanwhile Evelyn sat quietly in the staff lounge.
Her hands still shook.
She wasn't afraid of losing her job anymore.
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She was afraid someone else had seen her discover the footage.
Someone who would make sure she never testified.
