Chapter 8 – The Billionaire Stands
The ballroom fell silent.
Ethan slowly released the armrests of his wheelchair.
One hand.
Then the other.
He placed both polished shoes firmly on the marble floor.
Victoria laughed nervously.
"This isn't funny."
"You can't—"
Before she finished...
He stood.
Perfectly steady.
Every guest froze.
Several executives instinctively stepped backward.
The woman who had mocked him dropped her champagne glass.
It shattered across the floor.
Ethan calmly walked toward the stage.
Each step echoed through the ballroom.
"You believed the reports."
"You believed the rumors."
"But most importantly..."
"I believed you."
He turned toward Victoria.
"You failed the only test that mattered."
Police officers entered the ballroom.
Victor attempted to flee.
He never reached the exit.
Federal investigators arrested him for conspiracy, securities fraud, attempted murder, and evidence fabrication.
Victoria collapsed to her knees.
"Ethan... please..."
"I made a mistake."
He looked at her with quiet disappointment.
May you like
"No."
"You made a choice."
