Chapter 5 - The Glass Screen
Julian reached into his tuxedo jacket, pulled out a small black remote control, and pointed it directly at the large television screen mounted above the roaring hearth.
With a soft chime, the screen flickered to life. The ambient chatter in the grand lobby died down completely, replaced by a tense, suffocating silence as every eye in the room turned toward the monitor.
The footage displayed on the screen was crystal clear, stamped with a digital timestamp reading 8:42 PM—less than fifteen minutes prior. The wide-angle camera view showed the narrow service hallway behind the main kitchen, a quiet corridor where the staff kept their personal lockers and belongings.
On the screen, Maya’s brown leather handbag sat unattended on a wooden bench while Maya herself was visible in the background, busy stacking wine glasses inside the pantry.
Suddenly, a figure entered the frame on the television screen.
The crowd gasped in unison.
The monitor clearly depicted Victoria Sterling, wearing her distinct black one-shoulder dress, stepping cautiously into the service corridor. She glanced nervously over her shoulder to ensure the hallway was empty, pulled the Sterling Diamond necklace from her own clutch, unzipped Maya's bag, and dropped the jewelry deep into the main compartment before zipping it back up and slipping out of the frame.
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The video loop paused on a crystal-clear frame showing Victoria’s face caught directly in the lens, her hand inside the maid's bag.
The lobby descended into absolute, deafening silence.
