Chapter 2 - The Footage
The video feed was crisp, clear, and utterly damning.
It showed the private hallway outside the bride's dressing room, recorded less than fifteen minutes prior. The timestamp in the corner read 2:32 PM.
In the frame, Carol Bennett—Nathaniel’s sweet, quiet housekeeper—was standing near a cart laden with spare bridal veils and steam irons. She was adjusting a bouquet of lilies with delicate hands.
The heavy mahogany doors of the suite swung open, and Vanessa Hale stepped out into the hallway.
She wasn't wearing her signature angelic smile. Her face was twisted into a mask of pure, unadulterated venom. The white silk of her $50,000 wedding dress rustled violently as she marched up to Carol, grabbing the widow by her throat and slamming her back against the wallpapered wall.
On the video—which had full audio recording—Vanessa’s shrill, menacing voice rasped through the tablet speakers:
"If I see a single drop of water on my silk train, you pathetic little worm, I will make sure your daughter is put into foster care by sunset! Do you understand me?! My uncle owns the regional social services board! I will destroy you and your bastard child!"
In the footage, Carol didn't fight back. She simply wept quietly, trembling, nodding her head repeatedly as Vanessa slapped her across the cheek, leaving a bright red handprint on her skin, before shoving her hard into the floor.
Nathaniel stared at the screen, his vision swimming in pure, blinding rage.
The woman he had loved for two years—the woman he believed was an angel sent to heal his lonely life—was an absolute monster. The charitable foundations, the soft-spoken grace, the affection for his staff... it was all a calculated, sociopathic performance designed to secure his billions.
"Where is Carol right now?" Nathaniel asked, his voice dropping into a deadly, icy whisper that made Marcus shudder.
"She’s in the staff breakroom, sir," Marcus answered grimly. "She's trying to ice her cheek so no one notices before the ceremony."
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Nathaniel turned to his sister, his hands clenching into tight, iron fists at his sides.
"Rebecca," Nathaniel said smoothly, his eyes devoid of any warmth. "Go to the chapel. Tell the guests that the wedding is going to be slightly delayed... because we are about to host a very special presentation."
