Chapter 7 - THE GALA OF LIES
To crush the Vanes, Lorenzo needed to strike at their heart. Celeste’s father, Declan Vane, was hosting a massive charity gala at the Field Museum, a public victory lap to celebrate his supposed takeover of the Moretti empire. Lorenzo’s plan was audacious: walk right through the front doors, expose the Vanes' treachery to the heads of the Five Families, and execute Declan on his own stage.
Evelyn insisted on going. "They don't know I'm with you. I can get in as staff. I still have my catering credentials. I can unlock the security gates from the inside."
Lorenzo hated the idea, but strategically, it was flawless. He reluctantly agreed, pressing a hidden earpiece into her ear and a tiny switchblade into her garter. "If anything goes wrong, you run. You don't look back."
The night of the gala, Evelyn blended perfectly with the waitstaff, carrying a tray of champagne through the dinosaur exhibits. Her heart hammered as she spotted Celeste, draped in diamonds, laughing with a senator. At exactly 10:00 p.m., Evelyn slipped into the security control room, tased the lone guard, and hit the override switch for the loading docks.
"Doors are open, Renzo," she whispered into her mic.
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"Good girl," his deep voice echoed in her ear. "Get out of there."
But as Evelyn turned to leave the security room, she bumped directly into a wall of muscle. It was Celeste’s personal bodyguard. He sneered, recognizing her instantly. Before she could draw her blade, a heavy fist connected with her temple, and everything went black.
