Chapter 2 - THE LIVE FEED
Michael replayed the stream.
Sophia locking the door.
Tearing the strap.
Screaming.
Everything.
No ambiguity.
Then Sophia asked:
“How long has your brother been secretly filming women?”
Daniel looked at her.
“Do not change what happened.”
“I’m not.”
She turned to the family.
“He brought a hidden camera into a bedroom.”
“To protect myself.”
“From what?”
Daniel did not answer fast enough.
Sophia laughed.
“There.”
Michael looked at Daniel.
“Why were you recording?”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“There’s been a leak.”
“What leak?”
“Board documents.”
“You told me you were running internal security.”
“I told you enough.”
Michael’s face hardened.
“Enough?”
Sophia watched them.
Too calmly.
Then she reached into her purse.
Pulled out her phone.
Opened a screenshot.
Daniel’s name.
A message to Lucas Vane.
Tonight she’ll give us exactly what we need.
Michael read it.
Then looked at his brother.
“What is this?”
Daniel stared.
The message was real.
But incomplete.
He had written it that afternoon.
About a draft NorthBridge valuation Sophia was expected to forward to someone outside the family.
Not about the bedroom.
Sophia said:
“He set this up.”
Daniel stepped toward her.
“No.”
She backed behind Michael.
“See?”
Daniel stopped.
Good.
Sophia continued.
“He knew I wanted to speak privately. He came wired. He told his security man I’d give them what they needed.”
Michael looked at Daniel.
“Did you write this?”
“Yes.”
Sophia smiled.
Family members murmured.
Daniel said:
“Show the messages before and after.”
Sophia’s expression barely moved.
Michael scrolled.
Nothing.
Only the single screenshot.
Daniel looked at her.
“Where did you get that?”
She shrugged.
“Maybe someone in your security operation doesn’t trust you.”
Then Daniel’s phone buzzed.
Lucas Vane.
One message:
WE HAVE A PROBLEM. MY ACCOUNT WAS BREACHED.
Daniel looked up.
Sophia was still crying.
May you like
But now he knew the bedroom was only the first move.
Someone had prepared evidence before she ever screamed.
