David pulled a tiny chemical test strip out of his inner jacket pocket.
He always carried basic testing gear due to ongoing threats to his estate.
He bent down slowly over the ruined cake resting on the floor.
The party guests watched in complete silence as he touched the cake.
He pressed the white strip firmly into the cream and sweet frosting.
Within two seconds, the chemical indicator strip turned a dark blood red.
Red meant a dangerous, fatal chemical was mixed directly into the batter.
David stared at the bright red paper with trembling hands and pale skin.
His little boy Ethan was supposed to eat the very first slice.
David turned toward his toddler daughter with tears welling in his eyes.
He wrapped his strong arms around Lily and pulled her close.
Father: You saved my son's life!
The guests in the grand hall began whispering in utter horror.
Someone had tried to harm an innocent child inside this safe house.
David stood up quickly and locked the doors to the mansion immediately.
He called his personal security team to secure every exit right away.
Father: Nobody leaves this house until we find out who did this!
Maria held little Lily tightly to comfort her from the noise.
David walked over to his security chief who was watching the entryways.
Father: Check the security camera feeds from the kitchen right now.
The chief nodded quickly and pulled out his digital tablet screen.
They rewound the video footage from earlier that afternoon in the kitchen.
A man wearing a catering apron had sneaked near the dessert table.
He had poured a clear liquid into the frosting before serving it.
David recognized the face on the screen with instant rage.
It was Thomas, a former employee who had lost a major lawsuit.
Thomas was trying to get revenge on David's family by targeting Ethan.
David gritted his teeth as he realized how close disaster had come.