My sister threw red wine across my dress uniform and told me I didn’t belong in that ballroom, my father told security to take me out before I embarrassed his future son-in-law, and I looked at the stain running over my ribbons, checked the countdown on my watch, and said, “You’re right. I don’t,” because in sixty seconds the room was about to learn why I had really come

Preston took another step back as he realized that people who are innocent do not have that kind of instinct to flee. We can handle this privately without making a scene in front of everyone, he whispered with a desperate tone.

I walked toward him while the military police closed every possible exit and ensured he had nowhere left to run. I pulled a heavy document from my jacket and held it up so he could see the official red seal of the government.

Preston, you are under arrest for defense contract fraud and treason for supplying defective equipment that compromised national security, I stated clearly. Jessica tried to intervene by claiming I was only doing this out of jealousy but I ignored her completely.

Two officers moved in and forced Preston down onto a table which caused plates to shatter and expensive roses to scatter across the floor. The handcuffs snapped shut around his wrists with a finality that signaled the end of his career and his freedom.