Chapter 15 - The Screen of Truth
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Daniel stared up at the giant screens, his mouth agape, his entire body trembling violently as he watched himself committing a felony in broad daylight.
“You... you had cameras in your study?” Daniel stammered, his voice barely audible over the noise of the crowd.
“I am a commercial property owner, Daniel,” I said through the microphone. “I have security systems in every property I own. Did you really think you could break into my private estate, steal my confidential records, and I wouldn't notice?”
Marcus Hale stepped up onto the stage beside me, opening his black leather folder. He pulled out a stack of formal legal notices, his professional voice carrying clearly through my microphone.
“For the benefit of those present,” Marcus announced calmly, “the security footage you are viewing demonstrates unauthorized access, theft of trade secrets, and corporate espionage. Earlier this afternoon, Mr. Daniel Vance took one of the photographed documents—a confidential asset evaluation of the Ridgemont estate—and emailed it to a commercial lender, fraudulently claiming the property was his personal equity to secure a two-million-dollar business loan.”
The crowd gasped again. Several of Daniel’s business associates sitting at table four immediately stood up from their chairs, their faces pale with shock.
Vanessa turned on Daniel like a cornered animal, her claws coming out instantly.
“You lied to me!” Vanessa shrieked, grabbing Daniel by his lapels and shaking him violently. “You said you owned the Ridgemont house! You said your family was worth fifty million dollars! You told me you were taking over the Westbridge building!”
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Daniel stumbled backward, trying to push her hands away. “Vanessa, calm down! Let me explain!”
“You’re broke!” she screamed, her voice cracking with pure hysteria. “You’re a fake!”
