The grand ballroom of the Bellevue Hotel sparkled under crystal chandeliers, filled with wealthy guests in expensive suits and designer gowns. Julian stood near the marble bar, quietly sipping a cold martini as soft orchestral music played in the background.
Julian: This event is as dull as I expected.
Evelyn: Oh, cheer up, Julian. We are celebrating our company's new contract tonight.
Julian: A contract we barely secured, Evelyn.
Evelyn: But we got it. That is all that matters.
A loud crash of breaking glass shattered the quiet hum of conversation across the room.
Julian: What on earth was that?
Glass shards and dark liquid splashed across the polished wood floor near the heavy double doors. A young waitress in a gray uniform stood trembling, clutching a bright red burn mark on her left forearm.
Evelyn: You absolute psycho!
Evelyn screamed at the top of her lungs, swinging a thick leather file folder directly at the crying waitress's face.
Julian: Evelyn, stop! What are you doing?!
Waitress: Don't touch me! Stay away from me!
Evelyn: You clumsy idiot, you ruined my silver sequin dress!
Waitress: I didn't mean to drop the tray, I swear!
The waitress reached into her apron pocket, pulling out a smartphone with shaking hands.
Julian: What is going on here? Why are you screaming at her, Evelyn?
Waitress: Look at the screen! Just look at it right now!
Julian leaned closer, his eyes widening in total shock as a video played on the phone screen, showing a pair of hands dropping white powder onto a martini olive.
Waitress: She poisoned the olive!
Julian froze, his glass stopping inches from his lips as the room fell dead silent.