VEIL OF DECEPTION

Lucas stood frozen, his breath caught in his throat as his world shattered around him. The murmurs in the room grew louder—disbelief, curiosity, amusement. Guests whispered behind their glasses of champagne, while others discreetly checked their phones, watching his downfall unfold in real time.

His hands trembled as he clicked open the breaking news articles. Corporate fraud. Insider trading. Embezzlement.

"Impossible…" he muttered, his throat dry.

Celeste turned to him, her face pale. "Lucas… what is this?"

But before he could respond, another voice cut through the tension.

"Lucas Vanderbilt!"

Everyone turned as two men in sleek black suits approached. The sharp glint of their badges made it clear—they were federal agents.

The lead agent's gaze was cold, authoritative. "We have a warrant for your arrest on charges of financial fraud, tax evasion, and embezzlement. You'll need to come with us."

A stunned silence filled the room.

Lucas's face twisted into panic. "Wait! There has to be some mistake! I—"

"Sir, put your hands where we can see them."

The click of handcuffs echoed through the ballroom. Lucas Vanderbilt, once a king among elites, was now nothing more than a criminal in chains.

As the cameras flashed, Ethan stood by the bar, watching it all unfold with quiet satisfaction. This was only the first step.

He turned his gaze to Celeste.

She was staring at him now—not with mockery, not with indifference, but with something else. Uncertainty. Regret.

Ethan took a slow sip of his whiskey, then smirked.

Let her wonder. Let her realize. She had left a man for power… and now, she stood beside a ruined king.

The night was far from over. And Ethan Cross had only just begun.