The Hawthorne Estate glittered beneath towering crystal chandeliers as wealthy investors gathered for an exclusive evening reception.
Champagne glasses sparkled.
Soft music echoed through the luxurious ballroom.
To everyone in attendance, it looked like another perfect night among the city's elite.
Until blood hit the floor.
A young woman with dark hair stood silently near the center of the room.
A thin stream of blood trickled from the corner of her mouth onto the crisp white collar of her shirt.
No one stepped forward to help.
Instead...
Several guests simply watched.
Across the room, Victor Ashford adjusted his tuxedo and stared at her with a cold smile.
His voice cut through the silence.
"This was never yours."
Beside him, his elegant wife raised her glass before adding with a mocking laugh,
"You're nothing but an expense here."
Soft laughter spread through the ballroom.
The injured woman lowered her eyes for only a moment.
Then she calmly wiped the blood from her lip.
She didn't argue.
She didn't cry.
She simply waited.
Moments later...
The massive mahogany doors slowly opened.
A man in a tailored blue suit walked into the ballroom carrying a black leather briefcase.
Every step echoed across the polished floor.
The room suddenly became silent.
Victor's confident smile slowly disappeared.