Chapter 3: The Ledger of Sins
Arthur stopped inches from Travis. The rancher’s expression wasn't just angry; it was haunted by a betrayal that cut far deeper than a broken engagement or an unwanted pregnancy.
"Dad," Travis choked out, his voice a faint whisper. "Let me explain—"
"You’ve been explaining your whole life, Travis," Arthur interrupted, his voice a deep, gravelly rumble that silenced every whisper in the crowd. "And every single word of it was a lie."
Arthur didn't open the folder. Instead, with a sudden, violent motion, he slammed the heavy leather binder straight into Travis’s chest. Travis staggered backward, catching himself against the floral altar as papers spilled out from the unclasped sides, scattering across the dust.
May you like
The guests leaned in, catching glimpses of the documents fluttering in the dry breeze. They weren't personal letters or baby bills. They were bank statements, title deeds, and forensic audits.
"The pregnancy is just the tip of the iceberg," Arthur announced, turning to face the stunned crowd. "My son didn't just build his real estate portfolio through hard work. He systematically looted the family trust, forged my signature on land deeds, and framed his own brother for corporate embezzlement to secure the capital for this wedding."
