Chapter 3 — Every Camera Had Been Recording

Chapter 3 — Every Camera Had Been Recording

The attacker finally found his voice.

"You can't hold us here."

"My father owns half this city."

"My lawyers will bury all of you."

Several of his friends quickly regained their courage.

"This is illegal."

"You kidnapped us."

"We'll sue every person involved."

One woman from the media quietly began recording with her phone.

My father smiled.

It wasn't a pleasant smile.

"No."

"You trapped yourselves."

He pointed toward the ceiling.

Every eye followed.

More than forty security cameras overlooked the ballroom from every angle.

"They've been recording since before the guests arrived."

The attacker suddenly stopped speaking.

I took one slow step forward.

"You shoved me into a marble pillar."

"You threatened me."

"You laughed while your friends encouraged you."

"You did all of it..."

"...in front of forty-seven cameras."

His face drained of color.

"No..."

He turned toward his friends.

One after another...

They looked away.

No one wanted to share the blame anymore.

Then another elevator opened.

This time...

Uniformed detectives entered alongside financial crime investigators.

Not because of tonight.

Because my father had already spent years investigating the man's family.

Fraud.

Money laundering.

Political bribery.

Shell companies.

Tax evasion.

Tonight's assault had simply given them the final legal reason to execute every warrant waiting in sealed envelopes.

One detective unfolded the first arrest warrant.

He read the name aloud.

Then another.

Then another.

The ballroom became a courtroom.

Handcuffs clicked.

Expensive watches hit marble floors.

The heir who believed he ruled the city stood frozen while officers secured his wrists.

He stared at me.

"You planned this..."

I shook my head.

"No."

"You planned it."

"You just assumed no one would ever stop you."