Chapter 10
No final ownership documents were read at the Newport wedding estate.
No one was arrested.
The wedding was not canceled on-screen.
The family’s complete downfall was not revealed beneath the floral arches.
The confrontation ended with Grace Ashford standing soaked beside the reception stage, faded blue dress clinging to her body, hair dripping over her shoulders, microphone in one hand and calm certainty in her eyes.
Behind her, the stone fountain still rippled from the splash.
Across from her, Elise stood in her perfect bridal gown, tiara bright, veil soft, face pale with growing panic.
Margaret’s champagne glass hung low in her hand.
Richard’s applause was gone.
Daniel Mercer stood beside the closed black leather folder, one hand resting over it, the edge of a sealed embossed document barely visible.
The guests were silent now.
The same people who had laughed when Elise called Grace poor had nothing left to laugh at.
Grace looked at her sister.
Not with rage.
Not with revenge loud enough to cheapen the moment.
With control.
Elise had shoved her into the fountain because she believed Grace had nothing.
No money.
No power.
No place in that estate.
No way to answer.
May you like
Grace looked once at Daniel’s folder, then back at the bride.
And Elise finally understood that the sister she tried to wash away had been the reason her wedding was allowed to happen there at all.
