Chapter 3: The Bride's Secret Was Never the Worst One
Victoria's face turned ghostly white.
"No..."
"That's fake!"
She lunged toward the giant screen, but before she reached it, every light inside the ballroom suddenly went dark.
The orchestra stopped.
The guests screamed.
Only the enormous LED screen remained illuminated.
Emily's trembling face filled the room.
"I don't have much time..."
"They're listening."
Static crackled.
Her breathing became heavier.
"If Noah finds you before they do..."
"Never trust anyone wearing the Ashford crest."
Alexander's heart nearly stopped.
Ashford.
Victoria's family.
The screen went black.
For three long seconds...
No one spoke.
Then—
Victoria's father, Richard Ashford, stood up from the front row and slowly clapped.
Once.
Twice.
Three times.
The sound echoed through the silent ballroom.
"Beautiful performance," he said with a smile.
"But unfortunately..."
"Emily died years ago."
The guests looked at him in shock.
Alexander stared at the old billionaire.
"You knew she was alive."
Richard smiled without emotion.
"I knew exactly where she was."
Victoria turned toward her father.
"Dad..."
"You promised we'd never talk about this."
Richard didn't even look at her.
"Plans change."
Alexander's fists tightened.
"You destroyed my family."
Richard laughed.
"No."
"You destroyed it yourself."
The words hit like a bullet.
Alexander frowned.
"What are you talking about?"
Richard reached into his suit jacket.
Instead of a gun...
He pulled out a thick manila envelope.
"I've waited seven years for this moment."
He tossed it onto the floor.
The papers scattered across the marble.
DNA reports.
Hospital records.
Bank transfers.
Security footage.
One page slid directly to Alexander's feet.
He picked it up.
His face drained of color.
The DNA report read:
Probability of paternity: 99.9998%.
Noah was his son.
The room erupted into chaos.
Reporters rushed forward.
Camera flashes exploded from every direction.
"Billionaire Secret Son!"
"Wedding Scandal!"
"Blackwood Heir Discovered!"
Victoria covered her face as photographers surrounded her.
Her perfect wedding had become a nightmare.
But Richard remained calm.
Almost amused.
"Congratulations, Alexander."
"You finally found your son."
Alexander looked up.
"If you knew..."
"Why keep him away from me?"
Richard's smile slowly disappeared.
"Because I never cared about the boy."
"I cared about what he inherited."
Alexander's blood ran cold.
"What inheritance?"
Richard pointed toward Noah.
"Ask your grandfather."
Silence.
Alexander frowned.
"My grandfather died thirty years ago."
Richard shook his head.
"No."
"Your real grandfather didn't."
At that exact moment...
The ballroom doors exploded inward with a deafening crash.
Not security.
Not police.
A convoy of black armored SUVs had surrounded the hotel.
Dozens of heavily armed federal agents stormed inside.
"Federal Bureau of Investigation!"
"No one move!"
Guests screamed and dropped to the floor.
The lead agent ignored everyone.
He walked directly to Alexander.
Then looked at Noah.
His expression changed instantly.
Relief.
He knelt in front of the little boy.
"Thank God..."
"We found you."
Alexander stepped between them.
"Who are you?"
The agent slowly pulled out his badge.
Then whispered words that turned Alexander's entire world upside down.
"We're not here to arrest him."
"We're here because someone has placed a 100-million-dollar bounty on your son's life."
The ballroom fell silent.
Noah buried his face against Alexander's shoulder.
Then, barely able to speak, he whispered one sentence that chilled everyone to the bone.
"They found Grandma too..."
Alexander looked into the frightened boy's eyes.
"Where is she?"
Noah's lips trembled.
"They made me watch..."
May you like
"...before they buried her."
To Be Continued in Chapter 4...
