Chapter 11 - The ReceptionWe went ahead with the reception.
Not because the investigation was over.
Because it wasn’t going to own every minute of my wedding.
Daniel and I entered the ballroom to applause.
Vanessa returned wearing a new expression.
Fragile.
Her favorite.
She cried beside our father’s portrait.
Told guests she was “worried about me.”
Daniel whispered:
“She’s good.”
“She’s had practice.”
Then the band announced dinner.
Vanessa approached our table carrying a folder.
Of course she did.
“Claire, can we talk privately?”
“No.”
“It’s about Mom.”
“Then say it here.”
She placed the folder in front of me.
Inside was the asset-restructuring consent.
Exactly as Maya had shown me.
Vanessa said softly:
“Martin says the company needs this tonight.”
“Martin is with an investigator.”
“Then he’ll explain later.”
I lifted the pen from the table.
Vanessa watched my hand.
I clicked it open.
Then handed it to Andrew.
“Counsel?”
He stood.
“Happy to review.”
Vanessa’s expression cracked.
“Why is your lawyer at your wedding?”
“Because my sister keeps bringing contracts to the bride’s table.”
A few guests laughed nervously.
Vanessa lowered her voice.
“You are humiliating yourself.”
“No.”
I looked around the ballroom.
“For once, I’m refusing to be embarrassed by something you did.”
She snatched the folder.
Then the lights dimmed.
The videographer announced a surprise family montage.
Childhood photos appeared.
Mom holding us.
Vanessa and me at the beach.
Prom.
College.
Birthdays.
Then the montage cut out.
Black screen.
A new video appeared.
Bridal suite.
This morning.
Vanessa holding the adhesive tube.
The room went dead silent.
She stared at the screen.
Then at me.
I had not arranged this.
Neither had Lena.
The footage continued past the ruined dress.
After Vanessa left the bridal suite, the hallway camera followed her.
She walked to the service elevator.
Met Martin.
Handed him something.
A key card.
The ballroom screen froze on Martin’s face.
Then a title appeared:
ARCHIVE ACCESS — 9:42 A.M.
Vanessa looked toward the control booth.
Her face went white.
A man stepped out.
My mother’s former executive assistant.
Robert Ellis.
He held a second black flash drive.
May you like
And said:
“Claire, your mother told me to show this only if Vanessa tried to destroy the records.”
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