The Callus Estate was known for its extravagant dinner parties.
Crystal chandeliers illuminated the grand dining hall.
Silver cutlery gleamed beneath the warm lights.
The city's wealthiest families gathered around a magnificent handcrafted wooden table.
Everything appeared elegant.
Until violence shattered the evening.
Adrien Callus suddenly grabbed a heavy silver serving tray and slammed it onto the center of the dining table.
The massive oak surface split apart with a deafening crash.
Guests jumped from their seats.
Several glasses shattered across the floor.
Pointing furiously across the room, Adrien shouted,
"You should have stayed out of it!"
Across the broken table stood Victoria.
Blood slowly trickled from a fresh wound on her forehead.
She gently touched the injury before looking directly at Adrien.
Her voice remained calm.
"You just made the worst mistake of your life."
Instead of panicking...
She reached for the smartphone lying on the table.
The screen lit up with an incoming call.
Mason Callus.
She answered immediately.
Before she could speak, two women rushed into the dining room.
An older woman dressed in burgundy and a younger woman wearing a green evening gown stood frozen in the doorway.
Their terrified voices echoed together.
"Hang up now!"
Victoria didn't even look at them.
She quietly continued listening.
The fear on their faces told everyone in the room that something far bigger was happening.