A figure fell from high above. The instant it struck the ground, time seemed to slow. Bright red blood spread like a wave, droplets splashing onto the tassels hanging from the lavish tablecloth and sending them swaying violently back and forth. A silver candlestick crashed down, and after the flame went out, only a thin curl of smoke remained.
The moment the thunderous impact rang out, all the elegant ladies and young women collapsed to the floor in panic. The gentlemen fared no better. Disregarding the damage to their expensive leather shoes, they shoved and screamed like sardines in a fishing net being hauled in, fleeing desperately.
Schiller turned and saw Lionel take two steps back before covering his mouth with one hand, seemingly horrified by the sight before him. His face was pale, his fingertips trembled slightly, and disbelief showed in his eyes.
But he quickly took several deep breaths, struggling to calm himself, then shouted, "Nobody move! We have security personnel!!!"
His shout had no effect. The piercing screams drowned out every other sound. Everyone desperately wanted to get farther away from the corpse, away from this dreadful place. Many were knocked down amid the shoving, blocking the paths of others and throwing the situation into even greater chaos.
Bang! Bang! Bang!
Three gunshots rang out, and everything fell silent. It was as though someone had pressed pause on the entire ballroom. Everyone stood with mouths agape, looking toward the group entering through the main doors.
The man at the front wore the uniform of a special police officer and held a handgun. The people behind him were dressed similarly. They were clearly from the same organization, but completely different from Metropolis police.
"Federal Bureau of Investigation."
The leader walked to the center of the ballroom and spoke.