An hour later, the formal memorial reception was in full swing inside the estate’s grand ballroom[cite: 1]. Dozens of high-society guests, corporate board members, and city officials stood around sipping champagne, expressing their condolences to Evelyn and Julian[cite: 1]. Evelyn wore a black veil over her face, wiping away non-existent tears with a lace handkerchief whenever a camera flashed[cite: 1].
Guest 1: Evelyn, we are so deeply sorry for your loss[cite: 1]. Clara was such a sweet girl[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Thank you, Arthur[cite: 1]. It has been a unbearable tragedy for our family[cite: 1]. We are just trying to stay strong and honor her memory[cite: 1].
Julian: Yes, and we will be establishing a charitable foundation in her name starting next week[cite: 1]. Naturally, the family trust will manage the full endowment[cite: 1].
Daniel: There won't be any foundation, Julian[cite: 1].
The heavy double doors of the ballroom slammed open[cite: 1]. Daniel walked straight down the central aisle, surrounded by four armed federal agents in dark blue jackets, accompanied by the chief of city police[cite: 1]. The room went completely dead silent as the guests pulled back toward the walls[cite: 1].
Evelyn: Daniel[cite: 1]! What is the meaning of this outrage[cite: 1]? You are disturbing my daughter's memorial service[cite: 1]!
Daniel: You stopped being her mother the day you hired Dr. Vance to poison her drinking water[cite: 1].
Julian: Security[cite: 1]! Remove these men immediately[cite: 1]!
FBI Agent Hayes: Stand down, security[cite: 1]! Federal officers[cite: 1]! Nobody move[cite: 1]!
Agent Hayes stepped forward, pulling a folded legal document from his inner coat pocket and holding it directly in Julian's face[cite: 1].
FBI Agent Hayes: Julian Miller, Evelyn Miller... I have a federal warrant for your arrest on charges of conspiracy to commit first-degree murder, wire fraud, and tampering with evidence[cite: 1].
Evelyn: This is an outrage[cite: 1]! On whose authority[cite: 1]?
Daniel: On Clara's authority[cite: 1].
Daniel pulled out a remote control and pointed it at the massive projector screen hanging above the stage—the screen that was supposed to show a slideshow of Clara's childhood photographs[cite: 1]. He pressed the button[cite: 1].
Instantly, the audio recording of Evelyn and Julian discussing the poison doses blasted through the high-end ceiling speakers at maximum volume[cite: 1]. Every board member, every politician, and every family friend in the room heard Evelyn's voice detailing how to bypass the coroner report[cite: 1].
Evelyn (Speaker Audio): We will handle her medicine through Dr. Vance[cite: 1]. Nobody questions a heart failure when there is a documented childhood murmur[cite: 1]...
Gasps erupted across the ballroom[cite: 1]. Several prominent business partners dropped their glasses onto the floor, staring at Evelyn with pure horror and disgust[cite: 1].
Guest 1: My God, Evelyn... you killed your own stepdaughter[cite: 1]!
Evelyn: That isn't my voice[cite: 1]! That is an AI fake created by her husband[cite: 1]!
FBI Agent Hayes: We already searched Dr. Vance's medical office twenty minutes ago, Mrs. Miller[cite: 1]. He is currently in federal custody, and he has already signed a full confession implicating you both[cite: 1].
Julian turned pale, his knees buckling slightly as he reached for the edge of a catering table[cite: 1].
Julian: Vance confessed[cite: 1]? That spineless coward promised he would stick to the story[cite: 1]!
Evelyn: Shut your mouth, Julian[cite: 1]!
Daniel: It's over, Evelyn[cite: 1]. You lost the estate, you lost the company, and you are going to spend the rest of your life in a federal penitentiary[cite: 1].