Chapter 6 - The Trap is Set
By Friday evening, the high-society circles of New York were buzzing with frantic, hushed rumors.
The grand annual Whitmore Foundation Charity Gala was scheduled for Saturday night in the estate’s massive ballroom. Invitations had been sent out months ago to senators, tech moguls, Wall Street titans, and old-money syndicate families.
Usually, the gala served as the formal engagement party for Nathaniel Whitmore and Vivian Cole.
Instead, the tabloids were whispering conflicting stories: Wedding canceled? Health emergency with matriarch Margaret? FBI investigation into corporate corruption?
Inside the master study, Nathaniel stood before a wall-mounted tactical display board. Photos, financial wire transfers, and text transcripts were connected by red yarn.
Marcus stepped into the room, snapping a crisp salute.
“Boss, everything is in place. The local police department has been paid off to look the other way for the next forty-eight hours, and our men have locked down every exit of the ballroom. The Cole family arrived in the city an hour ago, completely unaware that we recovered the Zurich footage.”
Nathaniel adjusted his cuffs, his slate-gray eyes reflecting the harsh light of the monitor. “And Vivian?”
“Confined to her guest suite under guard. She thinks she’s still attending tomorrow night to save face in front of the elite,” Marcus reported with a cold grin. “She’s planning to play the grieving, misunderstood fiancée.”
“Let her play,” Nathaniel said softly. “Let her dress in her finest silk. Let her wear her diamonds. Because tomorrow night, she is going to perform for all of New York.”
“What about Rosa and the little girl?” Marcus asked.
“Move them into the private penthouse suite on the top floor of the North Tower,” Nathaniel ordered. “Give them whatever they need. And make sure Rosa has a dress.”
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Marcus blinked in surprise, though he hid it instantly. “A dress, boss?”
“Tomorrow night,” Nathaniel said, turning away from the board, “the world is going to see who the real women of this house are.”
