Chapter 2 - The Wedding Video
A massive LED screen had been erected behind the altar, meant to display a romantic slideshow of our relationship during the vows. Julian had insisted on it—he loved performing for his investors.
The screen flickered to life. But instead of our engagement photos in Paris, the speakers cracked with the sound of static, followed by a crisp, clear audio recording.
“She’s a nobody, Julian. A convenient little screen.”
Gasps rippled through the audience. It was Victoria’s voice.
“I know, Mother,” Julian’s voice replied through the speakers. “But the SEC is sniffing around the Cayman accounts. If we marry her, we can put the offshore shell companies in her name. If the feds raid us, the poor, clueless bride takes the fall. She’s too blindly in love to read the paperwork.”
Julian lunged for the sound system, but my father’s hand clamped down on his shoulder like a vice. "Touch that wire, boy, and I'll break your arm," my dad growled.
On the screen, documents began to flash. Bank transfers. Falsified environmental reports. Bribes paid to state officials—some of whom were sitting right there in the audience, their faces draining of blood.
May you like
Victoria rushed the altar, her manicured claws reaching for me. "Turn it off! You lying, gold-digging little tramp, turn it off!"
I stepped aside, letting her stumble over the train of my ruined dress. "I didn't lie, Victoria," I said, my voice echoing through the lapel mic I had secretly clipped to my ruined bodice. "I spent five months reading every single document you forced me to sign. I just made copies before I did."
