Chapter 4
The wedding coordinator frantically signaled the string quartet to start playing again, desperately trying to drown out the unfolding family scandal.
Nobody in the audience paid attention to the music; every single pair of eyes was glued to the bitter standoff in the center of the patio.
"You humiliated my daughter, you allowed your mother to abuse her, and all the while you were funding your secret mistress with my money," Clara accused.
"That is a complete lie! Clara, please, let's talk about this in private inside the house away from these vultures," Ethan begged frantically.
"There is nothing left to discuss, Ethan; our marriage ended the moment you decided to treat my child like trash at a family event," Clara said.
She turned on her heel with immaculate grace, carrying Maya away from the patio toward the grand estate exit without looking back once.
Ethan stood frozen in his light grey suit, the folded white document clutched tightly in his trembling fingers as his world crumbled entirely.
Eleanor glared at her son with furious disappointment, realizing that his reckless greed had just exposed their entire dynasty to federal scrutiny.
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"You absolute fool," Eleanor hissed under her breath before turning away to face the whispers of the horrified wedding guests.
The sun dipped entirely below the horizon, plunging the outdoor reception into a cold, shadowy reality that no amount of wealth could fix.
