Chapter 6 - THE ATTORNEY WHO KNEW THE CAMERA
Lucas Vane traced the breach of his security account.
Three weeks earlier, someone accessed Daniel’s hidden-camera settings.
Credentials used:
MICHAEL BROOKS — FAMILY OFFICE.
Michael stared.
“I didn’t.”
Daniel believed him.
Mostly.
Sophia said:
“Convenient.”
Lucas continued.
“The login came from Charles Keene’s office network.”
Silence.
Charles remained calm.
“My firm handles Brooks family cybersecurity documentation.”
“Why were you in my live-camera settings?” Daniel asked.
“I wasn’t.”
“The login came from your office.”
“Many people work there.”
“Using Michael’s credentials?”
Charles’s face hardened.
“That is a security problem. Not proof of me.”
Correct.
Then Charles admitted something else.
During NorthBridge due diligence, his office reviewed family surveillance policies.
“Did NorthBridge know Daniel wore a camera?”
“No.”
“Did Sophia?”
“No.”
Daniel looked at Sophia.
She smiled faintly.
Then Lucas found a second event.
Someone had opened Daniel’s camera stream for twelve seconds.
Date:
Three days before the bedroom incident.
If Sophia knew the camera existed, she could have planned around it.
But why stage something the camera would expose?
Michael asked exactly that.
Sophia answered:
“Because I didn’t know.”
Logical.
Then Daniel saw the smarter possibility.
She did know.
And she wanted the camera.
Not despite the risk.
Because of it.
A secret recording could make Daniel look predatory.
A live stream could show his private surveillance operation.
If Sophia’s accusation failed, the camera itself became the scandal.
Two exits.
One trap.
Daniel looked at her.
“You wanted Michael to see the stream.”
She laughed.
“You think I wanted a video proving I lied?”
“No.”
Daniel leaned closer.
“You wanted a video proving I secretly filmed you.”
Her smile faded.
Only slightly.
Then Lucas’s phone buzzed.
Another access record.
The camera feed had been opened that very night.
May you like
Seven minutes before Sophia entered the bedroom.
Someone was watching before she staged anything.
