Chapter 5 - The Gala of Ghosts
The Art Institute was a palace of marble and high-society pretense. The gala was filled with the city’s elite—politicians, CEOs, and the shadowy figures who pulled the strings of Chicago’s commerce.
Leo wore a tuxedo that fit him like armor. Evelyn wore a gown of midnight blue, her hair styled in elegant, cascading waves that hid her features just enough to keep her mysterious. She was terrified, but standing next to Leo, she felt like she was made of steel.
As they walked into the main hall, heads turned. Leo Moretti was not a man who appeared in public often, and his presence alone caused a ripple of whispers to wash through the crowd.
Julian Vane was standing on a dais, holding a glass of champagne, surrounded by a cluster of admirers. When he saw Leo, his smile didn't waver, but his hand tightened on the stem of his glass.
He stepped off the dais and walked toward them, his movements smooth, predatory.
“Leo! I hadn't expected you to grace us with your presence,” Julian said, his voice oily. “And who is this charming companion?”
“This is Evelyn,” Leo said, his voice flat. “She’s been… doing some research into the past. She’s very interested in your development project, Julian.”
Julian looked at Evelyn, his eyes scanning her face. For a moment, she thought he would break. She saw the flash of recognition—a flicker of pure, unadulterated terror—before he masked it with a practiced chuckle.
“Research is such a tedious endeavor,” Julian said. “I prefer to focus on the future.”
“The future is built on the past,” Evelyn said, her voice steady. “Especially when the past is built on a foundation of ash.”
Julian’s face went rigid. “I’m afraid I don't follow, my dear.”
“The fire,” Leo said, stepping closer to Julian, his voice a whisper that only the two of them could hear. “Evelyn was there, Julian. She saw the man who walked out of my father’s study. And she has the logbook Silas kept.”
Julian’s eyes widened, and he took a step back, his composure crumbling. He looked around, checking to see if anyone was listening, but the music was loud, the crowd oblivious.
“You’re bluffing,” Julian hissed.
“Am I?” Leo asked, pulling a small, black-bound ledger from his inner jacket pocket and holding it up just enough for Julian to see the emblem on the cover. “Silas talks a lot when he’s faced with the consequences of his actions.”
Julian’s face turned gray. “What do you want?”
“I want the truth,” Leo said. “I want you to tell me exactly how you burned my life to the ground. And I want you to tell everyone in this room.”
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“You’re insane,” Julian whispered. “If I talk, I die.”
“If you don't,” Leo said, “you’ll wish you had.”
