The grand dining hall of the Sterling estate in Dallas was filled with high-society guests, the clinking of expensive crystal, and the subtle hum of a multi-million-dollar deal about to close. Arthur Sterling, a sharp Caucasian American billionaire in his mid-fifties, adjusted his silk tie as he prepared to sit at the head of the heavy mahogany table. Beside him stood Victoria, a striking woman in an elegant red gown, her eyes glittering with ambition. But just as Arthur lowered himself toward the velvet-upholstered chair, a young maid in a pristine white apron rushed across the marble floor.

Elena: Sir, wait! Please, don't sit down!

Victoria: What is the meaning of this? Move out of the way, girl!

Elena: I can't let him sit there, ma'am! Please, just give me a second!

Victoria: PUT THAT CHAIR BACK!

Arthur: Hold on, Victoria. Let her finish.

Victoria: She is disrupting dinner in front of our most important investors, Arthur! Fire her immediately!

Arthur: I said let her speak. Elena, what is wrong with the chair?

Elena’s fair hands trembled as she reached beneath the plush velvet cushion. Her fingers brushed against the polished wood until she felt a tiny, cold metallic object taped near the frame. With a quick tug, she pulled it free and held it up into the bright chandelier light. It was a sleek black spy bug, its miniature green light blinking in steady rhythm.

Arthur: What is that?

Elena: It's a transmitter, Mr. Sterling. Someone is listening to every word in this room.

Victoria: That's absurd! She probably put it there herself to cause a scene and extort us!

Arthur: My security team didn't install this.

Elena: I didn't put it here, sir. But I know who did.

Before Arthur could press her for a name, a faint crackle echoed from the tiny wireless earpiece tucked beneath Elena's hair. A distorted, cold voice cut through the static directly into her ear.

Earpiece Voice: Don't say another word. He knows.