Chapter 7 - Four Words
The voice on the other end of the line was deep, sharp, and intensely focused.
"Olivia? Are you okay?"
Her voice was incredibly weak, trembling with pain, but her words were clear.
"Detective…" Olivia gasped, staring up at the ceiling. "It’s already happened."
The guests closest to her heard the words and looked down in utter confusion. Who was she calling? Why wasn't she calling an ambulance?
On the staircase landing, Vanessa had finally stopped struggling against the maid. She looked down at the floor, her angry expression suddenly changing to one of profound confusion as she noticed the broken cellphone in Olivia’s hand.
"What did you just say?" Vanessa demanded, her voice echoing down the stairwell. "Who are you talking to?"
Olivia closed her eyes for a brief moment. She took one slow, agonizing breath, letting the sharp pain in her ribs ground her to reality.
When she opened her eyes again, the vulnerable, terrified victim was entirely gone. Only absolute, unyielding determination remained.
She looked straight ahead, ignoring the wealthy guests staring at her. Her voice grew stronger, carrying a lethal weight that cut through the noise of the ballroom.
"Send everyone here…" Olivia commanded into the phone. "Now."
The detective on the other end of the line answered calmly, his voice projecting through the cracked speaker.
"We’re already outside."
Those four words completely changed everything.
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Vanessa’s face instantly turned the color of ash. The young maid, Maria, slowly let go of Vanessa's arm and stepped backward, sensing the massive shift in the room's atmosphere. Several guests exchanged highly nervous glances, suddenly realizing that this was not just a tragic family dispute.
They had walked blindly into a trap.
