CHAPTER 8 — The Billionaire's Final Trap
The following evening...
The Grand Regency Ballroom sparkled with crystal chandeliers.
More than a thousand guests filled the hall.
Politicians.
Judges.
CEOs.
Hollywood celebrities.
Everyone stood to applaud as Edward Langston walked onto the stage.
The audience saw a gentle old billionaire.
Only Adrian saw a criminal.
Edward smiled warmly.
"My greatest achievement..."
"...has always been helping families."
Walter closed his eyes.
The lie was unbearable.
Just as Edward reached for the award...
The giant LED screens suddenly went black.
The applause stopped.
Three seconds later...
Video footage appeared.
Old security recordings.
Bank transfers.
Secret board meetings.
Victor Sterling begging Edward for instructions.
The ballroom erupted.
Then another recording played.
Edward's own voice.
"Take the children."
"Without heirs, the company belongs to us."
The room exploded into chaos.
Edward's smile disappeared.
He shouted,
"Turn it off!"
No one moved.
Adrian stepped onto the stage.
"I've spent my entire life protecting your reputation."
"Tonight..."
"...I'm protecting the truth."
Edward tried to leave.
FBI agents blocked every exit.
For the first time in fifty years...
The most powerful businessman in the country looked afraid.
As agents placed handcuffs on him...
Edward laughed.
"You think you've won?"
He leaned close to Adrian.
"You still don't know where your mother is."
Walter froze.
"What did you say?"
May you like
Edward smiled.
"I never said she died."
