As two security officers stepped forward to execute Victoria’s ruthless command, a calm yet resolute voice echoed from the side of the hall. Everyone needs to see what really happened, a woman’s determined voice announced through the house speaker system. The sudden sound made the entire ballroom freeze. Slowly, the guests in their formal attire turned their attention away from Maya and looked upward toward the high angle above the grand marble fireplace. Mounted securely on the carved mantle was a massive high-definition television screen that had previously been displaying the family crest. The screen flickered violently, a low electronic hum vibrating through the audio system as the ambient lighting in the ballroom seemed to dim by comparison. Victoria’s triumphant expression faltered for a fraction of a second, her sharp eyes darting toward the mantle with a sudden flicker of unease. Maya wiped the tears from her red cheek, stepping back as the digital display shifted from black to a grainy, handheld security video playback.