The dining room fell into a suffocating silence as Arthur took the device from Elena's trembling palm. He turned it over, examining the precision engineering of the microscopic microphone. His expression hardened, eyes narrowing as he looked around the room filled with Dallas elites, business partners, and long-time family friends.
Arthur: Who else knew about tonight's private conversation regarding the merger?
Victoria: Arthur, darling, don't let this maid play mind games with you. She's a low-level employee trying to stir up drama!
Arthur: Shut up for a second, Victoria. Elena, how did you find this?
Elena: I was cleaning the baseboards under the head table earlier, sir. I saw a wire routing beneath the frame that didn't match the antique woodwork.
Victoria: She's lying! She probably works for rival firms! Call security and have her arrested for corporate espionage!
Elena: I don't work for rivals! I was trying to protect the estate!
Arthur: If she wanted to spy on me, she wouldn't have pulled it out in front of forty guests. She would have let the meeting happen.
Victoria: You're actually listening to a maid over me? I've been organizing this entire charity event for your company!
Arthur: This isn't about the charity event, Victoria. This bug is tied to high-frequency corporate frequencies. Only three people had access to this room today.
Elena: Four people, sir...
Arthur: Who was the fourth?
Elena: Your stepson, Julian. He was in here two hours ago with a tool set.
Victoria's face flushed deep crimson, her eyes widening in fury as she stepped right into Elena's space, her expensive perfume choking the air between them.
Victoria: How dare you accuse my son! Julian is a partner in this estate!
Elena: I saw him, ma'am! He was under the table on his knees!
Victoria: You insolent little liar! I'll make sure you never work in Texas again!
Victoria raised her hand to strike Elena across the face, but Arthur grabbed her wrist mid-air with a grip of iron. The room gasped as the billionaire pulled his wife's arm down.
Arthur: Touch her and you leave this house tonight, Victoria.
Victoria: Arthur! You're taking her side over your own family?
Arthur: I'm taking the side of the truth. Where is Julian right now?
Elena: He's... he's upstairs in the study, sir. But he's not alone.
Earpiece Voice: Get out of the main hall now, Elena. They are tracking the signal.
Elena squeezed her eyes shut, trying to ignore the chilling voice echoing in her ear. Arthur noticed her flinch, his sharp instincts kicking in immediately.
Arthur: What is in your ear, Elena?
Elena: Nothing, sir! It's... it's just my earplug...
Arthur: Remove it. Right now.
Elena slowly reached up, her fingers shaking as she pulled the flesh-colored earpiece out and handed it to Arthur. He held it up to his ear just in time to hear static crackle.
Earpiece Voice: Abort mission. Abort immediately.
Arthur: Who is this?
The line went completely dead. Arthur stared at Elena, his trust suddenly wavering as the tension in the room reached an absolute boiling point.
Arthur: You're carrying an earpiece connected to the same frequency. Who are you really working for?
Elena: I can explain, Mr. Sterling! I'm not here to hurt you—I was sent to save your life!
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