Chapter 1
The heavy mahogany doors of the grand ballroom slammed shut with a deafening thud that vibrated through the marble floorboards.
Silence descended upon the two hundred distinguished guests as six towering men in dark tailored suits surrounded the head table.
Lucas dropped his champagne flute, the crystal shattering violently against the pristine white dance floor.
"What is the meaning of this intrusion?" Arthur barked, stepping forward with his chest puffed out in anger.
The lead security agent ignored the older man entirely, bowing his head respectfully toward Evelyn.
"Everything under the Vella Corporation umbrella has been officially locked down per your immediate command, Ms. Vella," the lead agent announced smoothly.
Chloe stared at her groom, her face draining of color as her manicured hands clutched her ivory wedding gown.
"Lucas, what is he talking about?" Chloe demanded, her smug demeanor vanishing into sheer panic.
"Security, remove these trespassers from my venue right now!" Lucas screamed, pointing a trembling finger at his sister's men.
The venue manager stepped out from behind the velvet curtains, holding a silver tablet with a grim expression.
"I'm sorry, Mr. Vella, but your black card was just declined, and the reservation for this ballroom has been canceled," the manager stated flatly.
Evelyn folded her arms across her burgundy red dress, her eyes cold as polished obsidian.
May you like
"You told me I wasn't invited to your wedding, Lucas," Evelyn said softly, her voice carrying absolute authority.
"You simply forgot that I own the hotel."
