Chapter 6 - The Grand Engagement GalaThe ballroom of the Plaza Grand Hotel was a blinding explosion of crystal chandeliers, cascading floral arrangements, and glittering evening gowns.
Three hundred of Boston’s wealthiest elites mingled over flutes of vintage champagne, celebrating the union of Grant Mercer—the city’s golden-boy real estate developer—and Evelyn Morgan, who stood at the center of the room draped in a stunning designer silk gown and wearing Mom’s stolen pearl ring.
Evelyn raised her champagne glass, laughing brightly as a group of society reporters snapped photographs. She genuinely believed she had won. Her twin sister was locked in a police cell, her identity had been successfully hijacked, and the multi-million-dollar corporate merger funded by embezzled shell companies was set to be finalized at midnight.
The heavy mahogany doors at the entrance of the ballroom slowly groaned open.
A hush fell over the room as three officers in crisp uniforms, led by Detective Hayes, walked steadily down the center aisle.
Evelyn froze mid-sentence, her champagne glass hovering near her lips. Color drained entirely from her face.
Grant Mercer stepped forward, his polished corporate smile plastered on his face as he blocked their path. “Excuse me, gentlemen, this is a private, invitation-only corporate gala. You must be in the wrong room.”
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Detective Hayes didn't even look at Grant. He looked straight past him toward the stage, where Evelyn stood trembling.
“Evelyn Morgan,” Hayes’s voice echoed clearly through the ballroom’s sound system. “You are under arrest for grand larceny, wire fraud, identity theft, and corporate conspiracy.”
