Chapter 4 - Voices in the Library

The clear, unmistakable voice of Celeste Halstead filled the silent library before anyone could react.

— Well, your father’s little empire won’t matter by noon tomorrow... Once the marriage certificate is filed right after the ceremony, the prenuptial default clause triggers a joint management mandate...

The color drained from Warren’s face so fast he looked like a statue carved from chalk.

Celeste froze mid-step, her perfectly manicured hand flying to her throat as the audio continued to roll through the room, broadcasting every cynical, calculated word of their midnight conversation for everyone present to hear.

— She really thinks I love her... God, it’s exhausting pretending to find her interesting. But once we control Crosswell’s maritime routes...

Uncle Richard stumbled backward against the bookshelf, his eyes wide with sheer panic as he stared at me.

— Where... where did you get that? Warren choked out, his hands dropping from my back as if I had suddenly turned to fire.

I picked up the fountain pen again, tapping it lightly against the edge of the desk.

— I forgot my coat last night, Warren. Turns out, leaving your personal belongings behind in a house full of vipers is the best way to hear what people are really saying behind your back.

Celeste found her voice, stepping forward with a mask of furious desperation.

— This is a digital fabrication! It’s manipulated AI audio! You’re trying to sabotage your own wedding out of neurotic hysteria—

The heavy double doors of the library didn't just open—they swung wide with a decisive thud as two uniformed federal marshals stepped into the room, flanked by Marcus Vance holding a thick stack of court-stamped documents.

— Not AI, Mrs. Halstead, Marcus said smoothly, stepping into the sunlight with a brilliant, unbothered smile. That is a legally authenticated recording backed by server-stamped telecommunication logs. Furthermore, the federal district court has just issued an emergency asset freeze on all Halstead Holdings accounts pending an investigation into corporate wire fraud, securities manipulation, and conspiracy.

Uncle Richard’s face turned an ugly shade of purple.

— You can’t do this! We are the Halsteads! We control half the maritime logistics in this state!

— Not anymore, you don't, I said, walking slowly around the desk until I stood face-to-face with the man I was supposed to marry in less than two hours.

Warren looked at me—truly looked at me—for the first time in three years. The gentle, adoring groom was entirely gone, replaced by a terrified, cornered fraudster whose entire house of cards had just collapsed.

— Addie... please, Warren stammered, his hands reaching out weakly. We can talk about this. It was just business pressure—we didn't mean—

— Oh, I know you didn't mean to get caught, I interrupted softly. But the wedding is still on schedule, Warren. Only, there’s been a slight change of plans for the guest of honor.

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I turned to the federal marshals.

— Officers, I believe Mr. Halstead and his uncle have some urgent corporate accounting to discuss with the federal prosecutor downtown. As for me? I have a company to run, and a very expensive glass conservatory that needs to be cleared of uninvited guests.