Chapter 2: The House of Cards
The fallout was instantaneous. Within twenty minutes, the "wedding of the year" had become the "scandal of the decade." TMZ reporters were already swarming the lobby of the St. Regis, their cameras flashing through the floor-to-ceiling windows.
Amber tried to recover. She attempted to laugh it off, turning to the stunned audience with a teary, practiced performance. "It’s a deepfake! A sick prank by a jealous ex!" she shrieked, her poise finally fracturing.
But Julian was prepared. He signaled his security team. "Security, please escort Ms. Vane from the premises. And please, hand her these."
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A lawyer, seemingly appearing from the shadows, served Amber right there on the altar. It was a massive lawsuit, not just for the fraud and the attempt to dismantle his company, but for the defamation of Elena, who was standing in the back of the room, tears of vindication streaming down her face.
Amber tried to run, her gold gown catching on the velvet aisle runner, but the doors were barred. The guests, formerly her sycophants, now watched with hungry, predatory interest. They weren't guests anymore; they were witnesses to a social execution. The facade of the powerful, untouchable "Amber" had crumbled, revealing the desperate, hollow woman beneath.
