Chapter 15 - The House That Money Built
The Thorne estate glowed against the night sky.
Luxury cars formed a line along the driveway.
Valets hurried beneath crystal lights.
A string quartet played inside the ballroom.
Guests drank champagne beneath banners celebrating the Thorne Foundation's work for disadvantaged children.
Sarah almost admired the hypocrisy.
She entered hidden beneath supplies inside a catering van.
Once inside the service corridor, she changed into a black catering uniform.
Hair pinned.
Tray in hand.
Head lowered.
Nobody looked twice at staff.
That was one advantage of wealth.
People like Marcus often trained themselves not to see anyone carrying their drinks.
Sarah entered the ballroom.
She spotted judges.
Council members.
Executives.
The school principal.
Mayor Sterling.
Captain Miller.
And several local journalists.
Perfect.
Marcus stood near the stage shaking hands.
Leo sat at a front table.
The boy looked bored.
A woman tried speaking to him.
He ignored her.
Sarah moved toward the audiovisual booth.
The technician inside was young.
Sarah could not simply assault an innocent employee.
Instead, she approached with a tray.
"Mr. Thorne needs you backstage."
The technician looked confused.
"Now?"
"Something about the donor presentation."
He hurried away.
Sarah entered the booth.
She locked the door.
Connected her laptop.
The projector network appeared.
Marcus climbed onto the stage.
Applause filled the room.
Sarah found the presentation feed.
She replaced the file.
Her heart pounded.
Marcus smiled beneath the lights.
"Every child deserves to feel safe."
Sarah nearly laughed.
The crowd applauded.
Marcus continued.
"Children deserve adults who protect them."
Sarah placed her finger on ENTER.
"And tonight, our foundation renews that promise."
Sarah whispered.
"Good."
"Let's talk about promises."
She pressed the key.
The enormous screen behind Marcus went black.
He turned.
The first frame appeared.
A school playground.
Marcus froze.
Sarah pressed PLAY.
Lily climbed the platform.
Leo followed.
Guests stopped talking.
On the screen, Lily shook her head.
Leo stepped backward.
Then he ran forward.
He shoved.
Lily vanished.
Gasps erupted across the ballroom.
Marcus's face drained of color.
May you like
Leo watched himself push the little girl.
And he smiled.
