Victoria's face flushed bright red as every eye in the luxury dining hall turned toward her. The air was thick with tension, the high-society guests whispering frantically behind their silk napkins.
Victoria: How dare you accuse me after everything I've done for you and this family!
Arthur: Marcus, retrieve the bag.
The head of security stepped forward swiftly, reaching out and pulling the leather handbag from Victoria's tight grip. She gasped, trying to pull back, but Marcus easily took possession of it and unzipped the top compartment on the table.
Marcus: Boss, look at this.
Inside lay a modified frequency transmitter, small enough to fit in a palm, with a keycode display that matched the blinking light on the device from the chair.
Arthur: Care to explain why my fiancee is carrying a military-grade transmitter at a private luncheon?
Victoria: It... it isn't mine! Someone planted it in my purse while I was speaking with the catering staff!
Elena: That's not true! I saw you in the private lounge twenty minutes ago talking to Mr. Vance's stepbrother, Richard!
Arthur: Richard?
Arthur turned his gaze toward the far corner of the room, where his younger stepbrother had been quietly sipping champagne. Richard immediately stood up, his face pale and sweat glistening on his forehead.
Richard: She's lying, Arthur! I haven't spoken to Victoria all morning!
Elena: I have the security log right here in my pocket! I was assigned to clean the lounge, and I recorded the door access times on the estate tablet!
Arthur: Bring the tablet here, Elena.
Elena handed over the digital tablet. Arthur scanned the door access logs, his jaw tightening as he saw Richard's master keycard logged into the private lounge alongside Victoria's code just fifteen minutes prior.
Arthur: You two were together right before the lunch started. And you both knew about the recent updates to my living trust and life insurance policy.
Richard: Arthur, listen to me! This is a setup! Why would I want to hurt you? You run the family business!
Arthur: Exactly. And if I pass away without an heir, the entire estate, including the ninety-million-dollar trust fund and the company voting rights, reverts to you and my surviving spouse.
Victoria: Arthur, please! I love you! I would never conspire with Richard!
Arthur: Love doesn't require a remote trigger in a handbag, Victoria.
Marcus: Sir, I've already locked down all exterior exits. Nobody leaves this hall until the authorities arrive.
Richard: You can't hold us here! This is illegal restraint!
Arthur: Try moving toward those doors, Richard, and see how fast my legal team files the attempted murder and conspiracy charges against you both.
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