Chapter 13 - The Unmasking
The grand hall erupted into instant chaos as Arthur’s voice boomed from the speakers.
Maria froze at the podium, her champagne glass slipping from her trembling hand and shattering onto the marble floor.
Every single camera operator in the room instinctively pointed their lenses up toward the balcony above the stage.
The massive projector screen flickered again, displaying a sharp, crystal-clear security recording.
It was the footage from two hours prior: Maria threatening Arthur in his dark cell, syringe in hand, boasting about stealing his empire.
Gasps of horror and outrage echoed through the crowd of board members, investors, and journalists.
"Turn it off! Turn it off right now!" Maria shrieked, her regal composure completely collapsing into pure panic.
Dr. Harrison scrambled toward the media console, desperately trying to yank the power cables from the wall.
"Don't bother, Doctor," Julian’s voice echoed over the audio system.
"The broadcast is running on a secure cloud server locked by my encryption," Julian revealed.
"Over two million people are watching your confession live on international news right now," he added.
Suddenly, a bright spotlight cut through the dark room, sweeping across the upper balcony floor.
Arthur Vance stepped into the light, tearing off his tactical mask and leaning over the golden railing.
His eyes burned with absolute authority as he stared down at his horrified wife.
"Arthur?!" several board members gasped in unbelievable shock.
"He's alive! Arthur Vance is alive!" a reporter screamed, snapping photos frantically.
Maria staggered backward into the legal table, her face draining of all color as if she had seen a ghost.
"It's a hologram! It's a cheap trick created by Julian!" Maria screamed hysterically into the microphone.
"Guards! Shoot him! Kill that imposter on the balcony!" she roared, pointing wildly upward.
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Her hired henchmen drew their firearms, but before they could raise their sights, Marcus and his loyal internal security team surrounded them from behind.
"Drop your weapons! Hands behind your heads!" Marcus commanded, disarming Maria's guards in seconds.
