CHAPTER 2 — NO ONE LEAVES
The ballroom fell into stunned silence.
The final steel barrier locked into place with a deafening clang.
No one moved.
The man who had attacked Amelia—Nathan Ashcroft, heir to the Ashcroft Group—took an uneasy step backward.
"What is this?" he demanded.
"You've lost your mind!"
Amelia calmly adjusted the torn sleeve of her evening gown.
"No."
"For the first time tonight..."
"Everyone else is about to find theirs."
The grand staircase doors opened.
More than twenty uniformed security officers entered in disciplined formation.
Not a word was spoken.
Every exit.
Every hallway.
Every service entrance.
Secured.
An elderly gentleman with silver hair walked through the center aisle.
The crowd immediately recognized him.
William Sterling.
Founder of Sterling Estates.
Owner of the historic mansion where the charity gala was being held.
Nathan forced a nervous smile.
"Mr. Sterling... tell your people to open these doors."
William didn't even acknowledge him.
He stopped beside Amelia instead.
His eyes softened as he noticed the bruise on her face.
"My daughter," he said quietly.
"I'm sorry I arrived too late."
Gasps swept through the ballroom.
Daughter?
Nathan stared in disbelief.
Amelia Sterling...
The woman he had just assaulted...
Was the sole heir to the estate where they were standing.
William turned toward the guests.
"My daughter asked me to secure this building."
"Not to punish anyone."
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"But to ensure that every witness remained long enough for the truth to be seen."
The room grew painfully quiet.
