Chapter 9 - The Broadcast
The giant screens flared to life in brilliant high definition.
The entire congregation—judges, politicians, police chiefs, and crime bosses—watched in stunned silence as the footage played.
There was Celeste, standing over Elena, holding the stolen heart medication.
There was Celeste, striking the frail, elderly woman across the cheek.
There was the close-up shot of the forged CONTINUITY AMENDMENT, highlighting the March 14th date when Elena was in a coma.
The audio transitioned seamlessly to the library recording from two nights ago:
"Three drops in her morning tea every day... Within a month, her heart gives out naturally."
The crowd erupted into an uproar. Federal judges sat open-mouthed; syndicate capos glared at Julian Beaumont with naked rage.
"Turn it off! TURN IT OFF!" Celeste shrieked, her voice cracking as she threw her veil back. She sprinted toward the AV booth near the side chapel, but two dark-suited men blocked her path.
Julian Beaumont reached for his coat pocket, but before his hand could reach his sidearm, the heavy wooden doors of the side sanctuary burst open.
Luca Ventresca stepped into the light.
He was impeccably tailored in a black tuxedo, his dark hair combed back, his posture towering and lethal.
Behind him stepped twelve tactical officers from the Federal Bureau of Investigation, alongside twenty fully armed Ventresca enforcers.
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Luca didn't look at the crowd. He didn't look at the press.
His eyes were fixed entirely on Celeste.
