PART 1: THE MOMENT THE ROOM LOCKED
PART 1: THE MOMENT THE ROOM LOCKED
The first sign that something was wrong… was subtle.
Too subtle for most guests to notice.
The ballroom doors clicked.
Not slammed.
Not announced.
Just… sealed.
One by one.
Security guards shifted positions along the walls—not like staff anymore, but like enforcement.
Julian didn’t notice.
He was too busy smiling.
Too busy performing.
Bella leaned into him, whispering something that made her laugh softly.
And that laugh… echoed differently now.
Because the room was changing.
Not visually.
Structurally.
Marcus Sterling stepped onto the edge of the stage and gave me another small nod.
It was time.
I placed my glass down.
Julian finally noticed movement near the exits.
He frowned.
“What’s going on with security?” he asked casually.
No one answered him.
Because they weren’t working for him anymore.
I stepped forward slowly.
The room dimmed slightly as the chandelier lighting adjusted.
Julian noticed me now.
“Lakota,” he said with a grin. “Is this your idea of theatrics?”
I didn’t respond.
May you like
I simply looked at him.
And smiled.
