Chapter 7 - The Grand Accusation
The Richmond Grand Ballroom was packed with local news cameras, elite donors, and powerful politicians.
Brooke Hathaway stood at the center podium, wearing a flawless white designer dress, practically vibrating with arrogant triumph. She had projected the blurred warehouse photo and the redacted documents onto a massive screen behind her.
"This hotel is employing a violent criminal!" Brooke announced loudly to the flashing cameras. "Nova Reyes has sealed federal records! She was involved in an international raid nine years ago! She is hiding a dark past, and my former fiancé is protecting her!"
The crowd gasped. The cameras clicked frantically. Brooke smiled, believing she had completely won.
Suddenly, the heavy oak doors at the back of the ballroom opened.
Nova walked in. She wasn't wearing a plum maid uniform. She was wearing a tailored black suit, looking absolutely unbreakable.
Walking right beside her was Grayson Cole.
And walking right behind them were Judge Malcolm Reed, Ambassador Elias Morel, and Ruth Mercer.
The entire ballroom went dead silent as the group walked directly up to the front of the room. Brooke’s confident smile began to falter.
"You're right, Brooke," Judge Reed spoke into a microphone, his authoritative voice echoing off the walls. "Nova Reyes was involved in a massive international incident nine years ago. But she wasn't the criminal."
Judge Reed pointed at the blurred photograph on the screen.
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"She was the extraction specialist," he stated.
👉 The truth behind the scar was finally revealed, completely shattering Brooke's entire narrative.
