Chapter 85

The lights dimmed as a spotlight swept the hall, skimming past the seats on both floors, tracing the ceiling, and finally settling on Howard and the deep-blue tanzanite. Above the villa, the drones burst into a fireworks display, their glowing trails drifting across the night. It was beautiful, almost unreal, until the final spark faded. The lights inside the hall brightened again. Only then did the hall erupt, silence giving way to a storm of applause. Voices rose into a roar, loud enough to seep past the villa's soundproof walls. "Something big definitely happened!" "Find it out! It's been forever! How has nobody dug up a single detail?" "Beats me! The ones who know won't say a word, and they're all loaded. No amount of money can loosen their lips!" "What is going on? I'm so curious!" "Call the rest of the crew! Get them here now! As soon as the second half ends, we'll block every exit!" "Got it!" "Call everyone! Get them here!" "Doesn't matter who it is! Bring in the clea