Chapter 7 - The Masterpiece of Revenge
At 8:30 PM, I stepped up to the podium at the front of the ballroom, tapping a silver spoon against my crystal glass.
The heavy chatter in the room instantly died down. Two hundred powerful men and women turned their attention toward me, their faces respectful, attentive, and tinged with the healthy fear my name always commanded.
“Good evening, everyone,” I began, my deep voice echoing clearly through the high-ceilinged room. “Welcome to the Moretti estate. Tonight, we celebrate life, legacy, and the sanctity of family.”
Applause echoed through the room. Evelyn stood near the front row, beaming proudly, holding her phone up to record the moment for her social media feed.
“In my world,” I continued, holding my glass high, “we value loyalty above all things. We build fortresses to protect our loved ones from the monsters outside our walls. But sometimes... the most dangerous monsters don't break through the front gates. Sometimes, we invite them inside.”
A subtle wave of confusion washed over the audience. Whispers rippled through the crowd.
Evelyn’s smile faltered slightly, her brow furrowing.
“Tonight,” I said, looking dead into Evelyn’s eyes, “I want to pay a special tribute to my mother-in-law, Evelyn. A woman who spent the last month showing the world what kind of 'mother' she really is.”
Evelyn recovered her composure, blushing delicately and waving to the crowd as people began to clap. “Oh, Vincent, you didn't have to—”
“Silas,” I interrupted calmly. “Roll the tape.”
The bright chandelier lights in the ballroom suddenly dimmed to pitch black.
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Before anyone could process what was happening, the massive projection screen behind the podium flashed to life, illuminating the dark room with a bright, harsh glare.
It was the hidden camera feed from the nursery.
