He immediately wrapped her protectively in his embrace and shot Alannah a cold look. “Alannah, have you gone insane? Keep this up, and you’ll only disgrace yourself further.”
Alannah lifted a small flash drive in her trembling hand, her voice cutting through the silence. “Mark my words—I’ll find a way to prove my own innocence.”
A murmur rippled through the guests.
“Could it be… she really was framed?” someone whispered.
Suddenly, the crystal chandelier above began to shake violently.
Screams erupted as people fled in panic.
Quincy shielded Pearl tightly in his arms, then shoved Alannah aside.
With a deafening crash, the chandelier came loose and slammed into the floor with a deafening thud.
Alannah hit the floor hard. Pain exploded through her back, and she felt warmth spreading rapidly beneath her.
“H-Help… me…” she gasped weakly, reaching toward Quincy.
But he didn’t even look at her. Instead, his eyes were fixed on Pearl, whose hand had been nicked by a falling shard of crystal.
“Pearl, are you okay?” he asked urgently, panic flooding his voice.
Paramedics rushed in soon after, but Quincy stopped them. “Doctor, Pearl fainted! Take her to the hospital first!”