A faint smile appeared on his face.
“I’m giving her exactly what she planned.”
Before Margaret could ask another question, the ballroom doors opened.
Music began.
Every guest stood.
Vanessa appeared at the far end of the aisle wearing a custom gown that cost more than most people earned in five years.
Her father held her arm.
Helena smiled proudly from the front row.
Vanessa looked toward Alexander with tears in her eyes.
To everyone watching, she appeared overwhelmed by love.
Alexander knew the tears were rehearsed.
He also knew Daniel Mercer was sitting in the sixth row disguised as a member of Senator Caldwell’s security team.
The ceremony began.
Vanessa promised fidelity.
She promised honesty.
She promised to stand beside Alexander through sickness, poverty, and every hardship life might bring.
Alexander listened without interrupting.
Then the officiant turned toward him.
“Alexander, do you take Vanessa to be your lawful wife?”
The room became silent.
Vanessa smiled.
Alexander looked directly into her eyes.
“No.”
A gasp swept through the ballroom.
Vanessa’s smile froze.
The officiant blinked.
“I’m sorry?”
“I said no.”
Vanessa lowered her voice.
“Alexander, this isn’t funny.”
“You’re right.”
He turned toward the guests.
“This is not a joke.”
The giant screens behind the altar flickered to life.
Wedding photographs vanished.
Security footage from the hotel library appeared in their place.
Vanessa stood kissing Daniel.
Her recorded voice filled the ballroom.
After today, Alexander signs the trust. Once the shares transfer, we remove him from the board.
Guests began shouting.
Phones rose into the air.
Vanessa spun toward the screens.
“Turn that off!”
James locked the presentation controls from a tablet.
Daniel stood and moved toward the nearest exit.
Two private investigators blocked him.
Vanessa grabbed Alexander’s sleeve.
“You had me followed?”
“I had my company protected.”
“This is illegal.”
“No. Breaking into my office and photographing confidential contracts was illegal.”
Senator Caldwell rose from the front row.