Chapter 2 — The Camera No One Noticed
No one applauded.
No one defended me.
But no one lowered their phones either.
Grant seemed to mistake their silence for loyalty.
He smiled as if he had just reminded everyone who controlled the room.
Then someone clapped.
One slow clap.
It echoed across the ballroom.
Every head turned.
The sound wasn't coming from the guests.
It came from the massive LED screen behind the birthday stage.
A loading icon appeared.
Then the ballroom's own security feed filled the screen.
Confusion rippled through the crowd.
Grant frowned.
"I didn't authorize this."
Neither had I.
The footage showed the entrance to the ballroom twenty minutes earlier.
Grant and Sabrina stood together outside the doors, unaware the security camera was recording.
Sabrina adjusted the diamond bracelet on her wrist.
"Do you really think she'll stay quiet after tonight?" she asked.
Grant laughed.
"Claire always protects the company."
He straightened his tie.
"She's too afraid to destroy everything she built."
The room became so quiet that the hum of the chandeliers seemed loud.
The recording continued.
"What about the baby?" Sabrina asked.
Grant shrugged.
"The board only wants stability. A pregnant wife is useful for appearances."
Someone gasped.
Another guest slowly lowered his champagne glass.
Grant's face drained of color.
"Turn it off!"
No one moved.
Because no one controlled the screen anymore.
Another clip appeared.
This one had been recorded only an hour earlier.
Grant kissed Sabrina in the hotel corridor.
Not a friendly embrace.
Not something that could be explained away.
A long kiss.
Confident.
Comfortable.
Years in the making.
Every camera in the ballroom pointed toward them now instead of me.
Grant reached for the microphone.
It was already muted.
May you like
For the first time all night...
He looked afraid.
