Chapter 2 - Echoes in the Basket
The harsh vibration of the hidden device hummed against the wicker walls of the flower basket, cutting through the stunned murmurs of the gathered guests. Daniel stood frozen, holding Sophia gently with one arm while his other hand hovered inches from the basket. The delicate white lace of Victoria’s wedding gown seemed to mock the tension in the room, contrasting sharply with the stark terror freezing her features.
“It’s a mistake, Daniel, please, you know how these wedding planners are,” Victoria stammered, her voice losing its polished cadence as she retreated half a step. “Someone must have dropped it in there during the chaos.”
“You told me you only had one phone, Victoria. The corporate line,” Daniel replied, his voice dangerously low. He stepped past her, ignoring her outstretched hand, and reached directly into the floral arrangement.
His fingers brushed against cold metal. Pulling it out, he stared at a sleek, unbranded smartphone. The screen lit up with an incoming text message preview. Daniel’s eyes scanned the illuminated words, and the color drained entirely from his face. The message flashed clearly beneath his thumb: The asset is secured. We proceed with the transfer at midnight.
“Who is this, Victoria?” Daniel asked, his tone devoid of warmth, echoing like a gavel in the vast, silent room.
Victoria swallowed hard, her chest heaving beneath her pearl necklace. Her eyes darted toward the exit doors, calculating her chances of escape before forcing a defensive snarl.
“You have no idea what you’re meddling in, Daniel. Give me that phone right now,” Victoria hissed, abandoning her sweet persona entirely.
“I asked you a question,” Daniel said, stepping closer, shielding Sophia behind his broad frame.
May you like
The phone buzzed a second time. This time, an incoming video call request flashed across the screen, displaying a contact name saved simply as The Director. Daniel’s thumb hovered over the accept button as the entire ballroom held its collective breath.
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