Chapter 4 - Poison in the Wine
The annual Everhart Autumn Gala was the biggest social event of the season in Greenwich. Over two hundred prominent businessmen, politicians, and socialites filled the grand ballroom of the estate. The air was thick with the scent of expensive perfume, French champagne, and quiet malice.
Julian had organized the event to announce a new $50 million pediatric mental health initiative in memory of Margaux. Carmen had worked for three days straight, coordinating with Winifred to ensure the estate was flawless. Though Winifred urged her to take the night off, Carmen chose to stay, keeping a watchful eye on the service staff and ensuring Ana was fast asleep in their staff apartment in the east wing.
In the ballroom, Victoria Everhart moved through the crowd like a snake in silk, whispering into the ears of wealthy board members.
"He's completely unraveled since Margaux passed," Victoria whispered to Lord Sterling, a senior trustee of the Everhart fund. "He's left the children in the hands of an undocumented housekeeper. She’s practically living in the main house. It’s scandalous."
Meanwhile, upstairs in the private master suite, a dark plan was already in motion.
Victoria had hired Beatrice, one of the bitter former nannies who had been fired months ago, to assist with gala logistics. While the guests were downstairs sipping champagne, Beatrice slipped into Julian's private study. From the hidden wall safe—the code to which Victoria had extracted years ago from family documents—Beatrice pulled out a velvet box. Inside rested the Etoile de Mer, a historic 40-carat diamond necklace that had belonged to Margaux. It was worth over $3 million.
Beatrice hurried down the back service hallway toward the staff quarters, slipping the diamond necklace deep into the bottom of Ana’s small yellow backpack hanging near the door of Carmen’s apartment.
At 10:00 PM, as Julian stood on the ballroom stage preparing to deliver his speech, Victoria suddenly gasped loudly from the front row, dropping her champagne glass.
"My goodness! Julian! The safe!" she cried out, her voice echoing across the silent ballroom. "Look at the master security monitor by the archway! The red alarm is flashing!"
The room dissolved into whispers. Security guards rushed forward. Julian frowned, stepping down from the stage. "What is going on?"
"The private vault in your study has been breached, Mr. Everhart," the head of security reported, checking his tablet. "The master safe is open."
Victoria stepped forward, her face a mask of faux agony. "Oh, Julian! I warned you! You brought strangers into this house! You allowed unvetted people access to the highest security zones!"
"Search the house immediately," Julian ordered, his heart sinking, though his eyes burned with anger. "Nobody leaves."
Ten minutes later, the head of security returned to the crowded ballroom, carrying a small, worn yellow backpack. Beside him walked Beatrice, looking smug.
"We found the Etoile de Mer," the officer announced solemnly. He unzipped the small yellow bag and pulled out the gleaming 40-carat diamond necklace in front of two hundred wealthy onlookers. "It was stashed right here. In the maid’s child’s bag."
Gasps erupted across the room. Cameras flashed as society reporters gasped. Victoria smiled triumphantly.
Carmen, who had been called into the room by security, stood frozen near the grand doorway. Her face drained of all color as she recognized her daughter's tiny backpack.
"No..." Carmen whispered, her voice trembling. "No, that's impossible. Ana is three years old! She doesn't even know what that is!"
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"She might not, but her mother certainly does!" Victoria shouted, pointing an accusing finger at Carmen. "She used her own child as a pawn to steal from a grieving family! Arrest her!"
***
