Chapter 7 - The Cowards Start RunningOf course, they tried to escape anyway.
A real estate tycoon shoved a security guard.
A socialite screamed that she was having a panic attack.
A councilman tried to pry open a hidden service door with a steak knife.
None of it worked.
The mansion had been designed by my grandfather after a client was murdered because police arrived too late and exits were not controlled.
These steel barriers could withstand ramming vehicles.
They were not impressed by rich men in patent leather shoes.
Julian grabbed his father’s arm.
“Do something.”
Malcolm whispered, “Shut up.”
That frightened Julian more than the locked doors.
Because his father always had a solution.
A judge to call.
A journalist to threaten.
A police captain to pressure.
But tonight, every phone signal inside the ballroom had been rerouted to a secure emergency channel.
No outside calls.
No deleted messages.
No quiet deals.
Only recordings.
Only witnesses.
Only truth.
A woman near the orchestra pit suddenly shouted, “I saw him hit her!”
Everyone turned.
It was Mrs. Delaney, the wife of a shipping magnate.
Her face was pale, but her voice held.
“I saw it. I looked away. I shouldn’t have.”
Another voice followed.
“I saw it too.”
Then another.
“And I heard him threaten her.”
One by one, the room began to turn.
Not because they had grown brave.
Because survival had changed sides.
May you like
And now the safest place to stand—
was beside the truth.
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