Chapter 4 - The Sting
While the Cross family scrambled in panic, Isabella was hosting a private dinner at the penthouse suite of the Grand Regency.
Sitting across from her was Mr. Harrison, the chief security officer of the Cross estate, and a man who had worked for the family for twenty years.
"Have you brought what I asked for, Harrison?" Isabella asked, pouring him a glass of wine.
"Yes, Mrs. Cross—or rather, Ms. Vanguard," Harrison said respectfully, sliding a sleek black USB drive across the table. "This is the raw, unedited security footage from the ballroom on the night of the gala. The cameras in the gallery hallway captured everything."
Isabella plugged the drive into her tablet.
The video played clearly. It showed the grand ballroom just before the scream. The camera captured Vanessa slipping away from the crowd, sneaking toward the mahogany display case, and pocketing the emerald necklace. A minute later, as Isabella was walking toward the gardens, Vanessa purposefully bumped into Isabella’s coat rack, slipping the necklace into the pocket of her silk clutch.
The most damning part of the video followed: Evelyn Cross was standing nearby, watching Vanessa do it, a cold, satisfied smile on her face. It was a pre-meditated setup.
"They really thought they were clever," Isabella murmured, a dangerous smile appearing on her face.
"What do you want to do with this, Boss?" Logan asked, standing behind her.
"The Cross family is hosting an emergency press conference tomorrow morning to reassure their investors and announce a desperate merger with Hale Industries—Vanessa’s father’s company," Isabella explained. "They think Vanessa is their savior."
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She stood up, her midnight-blue gown swaying gently.
"We are going to attend that press conference. It’s time to show the world the difference between inherited wealth... and actual power."
