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Alexander pulled a sleek, heavy titanium card from his inner pocket and tossed it onto the ivory tablecloth. It clattered against the crystal water glass, sliding to a halt inches from the restored silver cuff link box. / Chapter 23 / 30

Chapter 23 - The Shot in the Dark"Erin, get down!" Marcus shouted, lunging forward to shield her.

BANG!

The gunshot exploded inside the ballroom like a deafening thunderclap. Shuttered glass rained down from a decorative mirror near the entrance as panic erupted. Guests scrambled for the exits, screaming, knocking over tables and champagne flutes.

When the smoke cleared, Sophia was on the marble floor, pinned down by three plainclothes security officers who had tackled her from behind the moment her finger squeezed the trigger. The gun skittered across the floor, coming to a rest against the hem of Erin’s red dress.

Erin hadn't moved a single inch.

She stood frozen, her eyes wide, her chest heaving as adrenaline flooded her veins. Marcus held her tightly by the shoulders, checking her frantically. "Erin! Erin, look at me! Are you hit? Are you okay?!"

"I'm... I'm fine," Erin breathed, looking down at the silver gun resting near her shoe.

Sophia thrashed against the marble floor as officers cuffed her hands behind her back. "You stole everything from me!" Sophia sobbed hysterically as she was dragged away. "You were supposed to be nothing! You were nobody!"

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