CHAPTER 1 — “THE LOCKDOWN PROTOCOL”

Woman (calm, voice steady):
“You’re shaking.”
Heir Man (forcing a laugh):
“Shaking? Don’t flatter yourself. You’re just a woman with a broken face in a locked room.”
Woman (slight tilt of head):
“A locked room…”
Heir Man (looking around, louder):
“Open the doors! This is insane! Do you know who I am?!”
Guest 1 (panicked whisper):
“The exits are sealed… electronically…”
Guest 2:
“This wasn’t security… this was planned.”
Heir Man (turning back to her):
“You did this?”
Woman (softly):
“No.”
(pause)
Woman:
“I just confirmed it.”
Heir Man (steps closer, anger rising):
“You think you’ve won something? You’re trapped in here with me.”
May you like
Woman (small controlled smile):
“No.”
Woman:
“You’re trapped in here with me.”