Chapter 6
Brenda Vance had spent years close enough to Vivian to know what to steal.
Not just jewelry.
Habits.
Phrases.
Donor names.
The way Vivian touched someone’s arm before asking for a pledge.
The way she thanked staff before executives.
The way she stood slightly to Christopher’s left because photographers preferred that angle.
Brenda copied it all.
At first, people called her efficient.
Then polished.
Then essential.
Vivian had once caught Brenda studying her reflection in the hallway mirror while holding one of Vivian’s evening wraps against her shoulders.
Brenda laughed when she noticed.
“Just admiring your taste.”
Vivian smiled then.
She did not smile now.
On the gala feed, Brenda moved closer to Christopher, but the gesture no longer looked possessive.
It looked desperate.
A reporter near the front called out, “Mr. Albright, is Mrs. Albright joining remotely?”
Christopher’s mouth opened.
No answer came.
Luke leaned toward the tablet microphone.
“Ask Brenda which Mrs. Albright she meant to represent tonight.”
Vivian turned sharply.
“Luke.”
He stopped.
His jaw clenched.
“I’m sorry.”
She softened only slightly.
“You’re angry.”
“She drugged you.”
Vivian looked at him.
“We believe that. We document that. We do not shout it before the record is ready.”
Luke closed his eyes once, fighting himself.
He was still eighteen.
Still her son.
Still a boy forced to watch his father parade another woman in his mother’s wedding ring.
Vivian reached for his hand.
“I need you precise, not loud.”
He nodded.
Then touched the tablet again.
In the ballroom, the screen behind the stage flickered, not revealing documents, not showing numbers, not exposing transfers.
Only switching from gala graphics to a blank standby glow.
No text.
No details.
Just enough to make every guest turn.
Brenda whispered, “Christopher, fix this.”
Christopher looked toward security.
Security did not move for him.
May you like
That was the second sign.
Read Chapter 7 👉 Because Brenda could imitate Vivian’s gown and jewels, but she could not command the systems Vivian had built.
