Chapter 5 - The Broadcasted Threat
The sharp, desperate echo of Victoria’s voice reverberated through the massive sound system, cutting off Chloe mid-sentence. A sudden, heavy silence fell over the auditorium, broken only by the low hum of the ceiling ventilation. Hundreds of heads snapped away from the stage, turning in unison toward the darkened wings where Victoria stood exposed in her shimmering silver dress, her face contorted in frantic fury.
Chloe didn't flinch. She simply turned her head toward the wings, her expression calm, almost pitying, as she adjusted the microphone stand with deliberate slowness.
"Ah, I believe we have our first guest question," Chloe said into the microphone, her tone dripping with quiet irony. "Or perhaps a confession from the floor?"
A wave of nervous murmurs rippled through the audience. Flashbulbs from social media influencers in the front rows began to pop like distant lightning storms, capturing every micro-expression of panic on Victoria's face. Julian Vance appeared in the doorway behind Victoria, cursing under his breath and motioning frantically for her to step back into the shadows, but it was already too late. The damage was done; the private panic had gone public.
"Victoria Sterling, everyone," Chloe announced clearly, her voice echoing off the vaulted ceilings. "The woman who ensures the charity always begins—and conveniently ends—at home."
Victoria’s face burned hot, the humiliation stinging sharper than any physical blow. She stepped fully into the spotlight at the edge of the stage, her chin held high through sheer, desperate habit.
"Don't listen to a word of this disgruntled, fired employee," Victoria shouted, forcing a brittle, manic smile as she addressed the crowd. "She was dismissed moments ago for gross misconduct and theft. She is mentally unstable and fabricating lies to ruin my family's legacy."
Chloe smiled—a slow, knowing curve of her lips that made Victoria’s blood run cold. She reached down beside the podium and lifted a heavy, legal-sized binder, setting it squarely in front of the microphone.
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"Fired for misconduct?" Chloe asked softly, opening the binder to reveal page after page of signed bank transfers bearing Victoria’s personal authorization stamp. "Strange. The state prosecutor didn't seem to think my paperwork was unstable when I handed him the originals forty-eight minutes ago."
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