Chapter 9 - The Gala Trap
Ethan guided Claire through the ballroom while guests applauded his latest development award.
He delivered a speech about loyalty, family, and integrity.
Claire stood beside the stage with the flash drive hidden against her palm.
Maya was somewhere inside the hotel.
They had arranged a backup plan: Claire would place the drive inside a donation envelope at the silent auction table, and Maya would retrieve it.
But Ethan never let Claire move more than a few feet away.
During dinner, he kept one hand on her knee beneath the table.
Whenever she shifted, his fingers tightened.
“You’re hurting me,” she whispered.
“Smile.”
Claire smiled for the people seated around them.
Across the ballroom, she saw Maya near the auction display.
Their eyes met.
Claire lifted her water glass with her left hand—the agreed signal that the transfer had failed.
Maya subtly nodded.
Then the fire alarm sounded.
Guests rose in confusion.
The alarm was not part of Claire’s plan.
Sprinklers did not activate, but hotel staff began directing everyone toward the exits.
In the chaos, Nina appeared behind Claire and deliberately spilled red wine across Ethan’s jacket.
“I’m so sorry.”
Ethan turned on her.
Claire used the moment to slip away.
She crossed the ballroom, reached the auction table, and dropped the flash drive into an envelope labeled Children’s Medical Fund.
Maya took the envelope seconds later.
Ethan grabbed Claire’s arm before she could reach the exit.
His face remained pleasant for the cameras.
“You’re coming home.”
Police and firefighters entered the lobby, preventing him from making a scene.
But inside the elevator, alone with Claire, Ethan slammed the emergency stop button.
“You’ve just signed your own death warrant,” he said.
Claire looked directly at the security camera above them.
“So did you.”
Ethan followed her gaze.
May you like
The camera’s red light was off.
👉 He had chosen an elevator where the surveillance system had already been disabled.
