Love by the Contract

Chapter 75

The once dazzling gala was now a scene of tense unease, whispers rippling through the room as guests speculated about the ominous message that had just been projected.

The lights had returned, but the shadow of fear remained, casting a pall over what should have been a triumphant evening for Emma’s foundation. Standing near the stage, Emma fought to maintain her composure, even as her heart pounded in her chest.

Her thoughts raced—who would dare to disrupt this night? And how far would they go to undermine her?

Beside her, Alex scanned the room with sharp, calculating eyes. His tall frame and commanding presence gave her a sense of security, but she could see the tension etched into his features.

Thomas, equally alert, was already speaking to the head of security, his no-nonsense demeanor a stark contrast to the glamour of the event just hours ago.

Emma couldn’t help but notice the grudging respect the two men had begun to show each other in moments like these, united by a common goal: protecting her and the twins.

“We need to act fast,” Alex said, his voice low but firm. “Whoever did this might still be in the building.”

Thomas nodded, already moving toward the exits. “I’ll make sure no one leaves without being checked. If this was sabotage, they won’t get away that easily.”

Emma turned to Alex, her voice steady despite the turmoil within. “What do we do in the meantime? The guests are spooked. We can’t let this escalate.”

Alex placed a reassuring hand on her shoulder. “Stay here and keep them calm. I’ll check the security footage to see if we can find out who’s behind this.”

Emma nodded, her resolve hardening. She stepped forward to address the crowd, her voice cutting through the murmurs. “Ladies and gentlemen, I want to assure you that we are taking every precaution to ensure your safety. Please remain calm as we investigate the situation. Your cooperation means everything.”

Her words seemed to soothe the guests, who began to settle, though unease still hung in the air. As Emma stepped back, she caught sight of Alex disappearing into a side room with a tablet, already pulling up the venue’s surveillance system.

Thomas, meanwhile, was coordinating with security to establish checkpoints at all exits. The two men moved like pieces on a chessboard, each playing their part in containing the threat.

Emma stayed near the stage, her mind racing with questions. The threatening message against her family had been no coincidence. It was deliberate, a warning aimed directly at her.

Her thoughts drifted to Victor Harlow, the rival pharmaceutical CEO who had made no secret of his disdain for her foundation’s mission. Could he have orchestrated this? The thought sent a chill down her spine.

Minutes stretched into what felt like hours as Emma waited, the tension nearly unbearable. Finally, Alex returned, his expression grim as he held up the tablet.

“I think we’ve got something,” he said, gesturing for her to follow.

In the small anteroom, Alex set the tablet on the table and played back the footage. The screen showed a man in a staff uniform entering the venue hours before the gala began.

His movements were deliberate, calculated, as he avoided cameras and made his way to the AV booth. Emma’s stomach turned as she watched him splice into the network, connecting an unfamiliar device to the projector system.

“He’s not on the staff roster,” Alex explained. “I cross-checked it. Whoever he is, he knew exactly what he was doing.”

Thomas entered moments later, a deep frown etched on his face. “We’ve got him,” he said. “He was trying to leave through the service exit when security caught him. He had a fake staff badge.”

Emma’s chest tightened as the pieces began to fall into place. “Bring him here,” she said, her voice firm. “I want answers.”

A few minutes later, the man was escorted into the room, his hands restrained and his expression defiant. He was average in appearance—short hair, plain features—but there was a smugness in his demeanor that set Emma’s nerves on edge. He glanced around the room, his gaze landing briefly on each of them before settling on Emma.

“So, you’re the famous Ms. Barrett,” he said, his tone mocking. “Nice party.”

Emma stepped forward, her voice sharp. “Who sent you? What do you want?”

The man smirked, leaning back in his chair. “I don’t have to tell you anything.”

Thomas’s fists clenched at his sides, but Alex placed a steadying hand on his shoulder. “We already know you hacked into the AV system,” Alex said, his tone cool and measured. “That’s enough to press charges. If you cooperate, things might go easier for you.”

The man’s smirk faltered, but he quickly recovered. “You can’t prove anything,” he said. “I was just following orders.”

Emma’s patience wore thin. “Whose orders?” she demanded. “Victor Harlow’s?”

At the mention of the name, the man’s composure slipped for a fraction of a second. It was enough to confirm her suspicions. She exchanged a glance with Alex and Thomas, her resolve hardening.

“We’re turning him over to the authorities,” she said. “Let them handle it.”

As security escorted the man out, Emma turned to the two men beside her, her voice steady but laced with determination. “This is just the beginning. Whoever’s behind this won’t stop until they’ve destroyed everything we’ve worked for.”

“We won’t let that happen,” Alex said firmly. “You’re not alone in this.”

Thomas nodded in agreement. “We’ll take every precaution to protect you and the twins. Harlow won’t get away with this.”

Emma allowed herself a moment of gratitude, their unwavering support giving her the strength to face what lay ahead. But the relief was short-lived. Later, as they reviewed the footage again, Alex’s sharp eyes caught something they’d missed before. He paused the video, pointing to a brief interaction between the saboteur and another figure—a woman in a sleek black suit, her face partially obscured.

“She’s not on the guest list,” Alex said, narrowing his eyes. “And look at how she’s directing him. She’s in charge.”

Emma’s breath hitched as they played the footage again, watching the woman’s calm, purposeful movements. She left the venue shortly before the lights went out, her demeanor unshaken.

“We need to find her,” Emma said, her voice filled with quiet resolve. “She’s the key to all of this.”

As the night stretched on, Emma, Alex, and Thomas worked tirelessly, piecing together the clues and formulating their next steps. The battle was far from over, but they were ready to face it head-on, united in their determination to protect what mattered most. The enemy had shown their hand, but Emma knew she wouldn’t back down—not now, not ever.

________________