Chapter 3 - The Investor's Shock
The cinematic realism of the suffocating, heavy tension completely paralyzed the grand living room.
Sterling smiled his brightest, most charming salesman smile. He turned his attention entirely to Julian, the gray-haired billionaire standing directly between him and his mistress. Julian held a crystal champagne glass, looking impeccably sharp in his black tuxedo.
"As I was saying, Julian," Sterling lied flawlessly, gesturing to the blonde woman clinging to his waist. "My brilliant partner, Harper, and I have dedicated our lives to this biotech patent. We are thrilled to bring you onto the board."
But Julian wasn't looking at Harper.
A medium shot captured Julian staring directly across the room at the soaking-wet woman in the plain black dress. The polite, wealthy smile on Julian’s face completely, violently vanished.
His eyes widened in absolute, unadulterated shock.
"I know Eleanor Vance," Julian stated sharply, his deep, authoritative voice cutting straight through the background noise of the party.
A tight close-up captured Sterling. He froze completely. The confident, arrogant smile dropped from his face, violently replaced by a mask of instant, pale, and absolute panic. His jaw literally unhinged as his brain desperately tried to process the catastrophic glitch in his flawless plan.
Julian didn't look back at Sterling. He kept his intense gaze locked entirely on Eleanor.
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"We went to MIT together," Julian announced flawlessly, ensuring the entire silent room could hear. "She is the sole inventor of the patent I am supposed to be buying tonight."
👉 Harper desperately tried to save the massive business deal, making an apocalyptic mistake in the process.
