Chapter 9 - Blood in the BallroomThe service dock elevator chimed softly as it reached the main floor of the Blackwood Bay estate.
The doors slid open to reveal a scene of breathtaking, grotesque opulence. Wealthy donors in designer gowns and expensive tuxedos sipped champagne, laughing and mingling under massive crystal chandeliers, completely oblivious to the bloody conspiracy operating beneath their feet.
Conrad and Elena slipped out of the service corridor unnoticed, blending seamlessly into the periphery of the grand ballroom. Elena's heart pounded against her ribs like a trapped bird. Across the room, standing on a raised dais and shaking hands with a group of influential senators, was Senator Julian Vance.
He looked immaculate in a tailored charcoal suit, silver hair styled to perfection, flashing the charismatic smile that had won him millions of votes.
"Wait here," Conrad murmured, his hand resting briefly on Elena's shoulder.
Before she could protest, Conrad walked purposefully through the crowd toward the dais. But as he reached the edge of the platform, two armed private guards stepped into his path, their hands resting on their holstered sidearms.
"Sir, this is a private event—you need an invitation," one of the guards said coldly.
Conrad didn't blink. He reached into his jacket, pulled out the encrypted flash drive Elena had given him, and dropped it onto a silver champagne tray being carried past by a passing waiter. Then, with a swift, brutal motion, he drove the heel of his palm upward into the guard's chin, sending him crashing backward into the buffet table.
The second guard went for his gun, but Conrad swept his legs out from under him, pinning him to the marble floor with a heavy boot to the throat.
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The classical music abruptly stopped. Gasps echoed through the ballroom as guests scattered in panic, champagne flutes shattering on the floor.
Senator Julian Vance froze on the dais, his charismatic smile vanishing instantly, replaced by a look of sheer, cold realization as his eyes locked onto Conrad Ashford—and then, standing just behind him in the shadows, his niece Elena.
