Clara staggered sideways from the force of the heavy blow. She nearly lost her balance on the slippery marble floor, but she quickly caught herself against the side of the wooden catering table. Her left cheek turned a bright, painful red, and tears filled her eyes from the sudden physical shock. She pressed her hand against her burning skin, gasping for breath while the crowd of wealthy guests murmured in horror.
Victoria: Are you insane?! Security, get her out!
Clara: Wait! Please just let me speak!
Victoria: Shut your mouth! You are a low-life server who just assaulted my husband!
Victoria turned quickly toward two heavy security guards standing by the double doors, waving her arms wildly to command them. She wanted Clara dragged out of the building before anyone could ask a single question. But Clara knew she only had a few seconds to save her own life and career. She lifted her left arm high in the air, holding her smart watch directly in front of Arthur's face. The screen was brightly lit, streaming clear, high-definition recorded CCTV footage from the room's security system.
Clara had paired her smart watch with the building's digital network just twenty minutes earlier as part of her routine manager duties. On the clear screen, the video showed the quiet side corridor near the kitchen just ten minutes ago. Victoria was caught clearly on camera standing right beside the drink table while Arthur was away at the podium. Her eyes scanned the room nervously. Then, with quick, practiced fingers, she pulled a small clear tablet from her designer purse and dropped it straight into Arthur's water glass, watching it dissolve completely within seconds.
Clara: Look at it! She put a pill in your glass!
Arthur: My God... she tried to poison me!
Arthur stared at the watch screen in absolute horror. The camera angle was crystal clear, capturing Victoria's face and exact movements without any doubt. Arthur's hands began to shake uncontrollably. He looked from the digital video on the watch screen straight to his wife, who was now trembling where she stood. Victoria's cold, arrogant posture completely collapsed in a single instant. Her mouth opened, but no sound came out as her eyes darted around the room like a trapped animal.
Victoria: Arthur, sweetie... that is not what it looks like! That video is fake!
Arthur: Shut your mouth, Victoria! The evidence is right in front of my eyes!
Victoria: She edited that! She is trying to ruin us and steal our money!
Arthur: You thought I was stupid enough to fall for your lies again?!
p>The reality of the quiet murder plot hit Arthur like a heavy freight train. He remembered how Victoria had insisted he sign the new life insurance policy just last week. He remembered how she offered to set up his drinks all afternoon. The woman he had shared his home and bed with for three years had just tried to end his life in cold blood in front of hundreds of people.