Chapter 8 - The Dinner Party Interruption
The following evening, the grand dining room of the estate was a portrait of wealth. Crystal chandeliers glowed over the long mahogany table, where Vincent sat with six of his most powerful corporate board members.
Eleanor sat at the opposite end, wearing a stunning black evening gown, dabbing her eyes with a silk tissue.
"It's just so hard," Eleanor lied beautifully, projecting a tone of exhausted sorrow. "The doctors have given up. Vincent and I are looking into a wonderful hospice facility in Switzerland. It breaks my heart, but we must do what's best for the boys."
The board members murmured their sympathetic condolences. Vincent stared blankly at his untouched steak, completely hollowed out by grief.
Suddenly, the heavy wooden doors of the dining room burst open.
Claire marched into the room, bypassing the shocked caterers. She was still wearing her worn cardigan, her chin held high, radiating absolute, fearless authority.
"Claire?" Vincent frowned, standing up from his chair. "What is going on? The boys—"
"The boys are fine," Claire stated, her voice ringing loud and clear over the silent room. "But they won't be if you send them to Switzerland with a murderer."
Eleanor’s face turned the color of chalk. She abruptly stood up, her black gown rustling sharply.
"Security!" Eleanor shrieked, completely dropping her graceful facade. "Get this insane woman out of my house! She's having a psychotic break!"
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Claire didn't flinch. She reached into her cardigan and slammed the heavy, black automated aerosol dispenser directly onto the center of the pristine white tablecloth.
👉 How will Eleanor try to cover up the undeniable physical evidence?
