Chapter 10 - Margaret’s Growing Paranoia in the Mansion’s Gourmet Kitchen
A collective gasp echoed through the darkness of the ballroom.
Before the security team could react, the four massive 85-inch 8K projection screens surrounding the marble stage flickered to life with blinding brilliance.
Instead of the charity’s promotional video, the screens displayed a crystal-clear, high-definition video recording with booming, cinema-grade audio echoing through the surround-sound system.
The footage showed the private study from yesterday afternoon.
On the massive screens, Julian Vance and Vanessa Whitmore were seen passionately embracing, laughing hysterically.
“You’re a genius, Vanessa,” Julian’s voice boomed through the speakers at deafening volume. “By Monday morning, Whitmore Quantum Dynamics will be hollowed out. We transfer the quantum encryption source code to our shell corporation in Zurich, announce Ethan’s tragic passing, and collect the four-hundred-million-dollar buyout. We’ll be living in Lake Como by Christmas.”
The entire ballroom went dead silent. Glasses stopped mid-air. Senators and corporate titans stared at the screens in absolute, horrified disbelief.
Vanessa’s face turned from radiant beauty to a ghastly, bloodless mask of pure shock. The microphone in her hand began to screech with feedback as her fingers trembled violently.
“Turn it off!” Julian roared, lunging toward the technical booth at the back of the room. “Someone cut the power! Cut the feeds right now!”
Then, the video switched to the ground-floor drawing room from Thursday night.
Dr. Alistair Sterling’s voice echoed like thunder through the hall:
“The potassium chloride cocktail is pre-mixed in this ampoule, Vanessa. A single subcutaneous injection between his toes… within four minutes, his heart ceases all rhythmic contraction. It looks like an acute myocardial infarction… Two million dollars to my Cayman account.”
“A bargain for peace of mind,” Vanessa’s recorded voice replied chillingly. “To my dear, sweet Ethan. May he finally find the rest he so richly deserves.”
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Screams of disgust and outrage erupted from the high-society crowd. Prominent guests backed away from the stage as if Vanessa and Julian were carrying the plague.
“No! It’s a deepfake! It’s a cyberattack!” Vanessa shrieked into the microphone, her voice cracking into a manic, desperate wail. “Security! Arrest whoever is doing this!”
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