Chapter 11 - The Ballroom Erupts
Gasps echoed through the grand ballroom. Faces turned pale. Investors dropped their champagne flutes, the crystal shattering against the polished hardwood floor.
Daniel froze mid-sentence, his microphone slipping from his trembling fingers. He stared up at the giant screen in sheer, unadulterated horror as the security footage of Vanessa staging her fall played on a continuous loop for all of New York high society to witness.
Vanessa turned white as a sheet, clutching her designer gown as whispers erupted around the room.
"Turn that off!" Vanessa shrieked, her voice cracking hysterically. "It's a fake! It's deepfake AI generated by that convict ex-wife of his!"
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The heavy oak doors at the back of the ballroom swung open with a loud bang. Two federal marshals in dark suits marched into the room, flanked by local police officers.
"Daniel Mercer and Vanessa Cole?" the lead marshal announced, his voice cutting through the stunned silence. "You are both under federal arrest for securities fraud, perjury, obstruction of justice, and conspiracy."
