CHAPTER 8 – The Father Who Gave Away the Bride
The room fell completely silent.
Sophia couldn't breathe.
She replayed the final frame again.
And again.
And again.
There was no mistake.
Her father.
Richard Bennett.
The respected businessman.
The generous philanthropist.
The loving man who had proudly walked her down the aisle only hours earlier.
He had been standing beside the mysterious leader eight years ago.
Claire immediately ordered officers to bring Richard in for questioning.
They searched his mansion.
His offices.
His private yacht.
Nothing.
Every property had already been abandoned.
His phone had been destroyed.
His bank accounts emptied.
His private jet had departed less than two hours after the wedding collapsed.
"He knew," Claire whispered.
"He knew we'd find him."
Sophia refused to believe it.
"My father loved me."
"He raised me."
"He taught me everything."
Claire quietly placed another folder in front of her.
"We found this inside your father's private safe."
Sophia opened it.
Inside were birthday photographs.
School records.
Medical reports.
Her entire childhood.
Every page had handwritten notes.
Age 5 – Healthy.
Age 10 – Excellent academic potential.
Age 16 – Suitable personality.
Age 21 – Begin social introductions.
The final page nearly stopped her heart.
Age 28 – Deliver to Groom Candidate #47.
Sophia's vision blurred.
She wasn't reading the diary of a father.
She was reading an inventory report.
Her entire life...
Had been planned before she was old enough to understand the word "family."
Tears streamed down her face.
"I wasn't his daughter..."
"I was being prepared."
Before anyone could comfort her...
Claire's phone rang.
The call came from airport security.
"We found Richard Bennett."
Sophia stood instantly.
"Is he arrested?"
The officer hesitated.
"No..."
"He was found inside his private jet."
There was a long pause.
Then the officer spoke again.
"He's dead."
Everyone froze.
"Single gunshot wound."
"No weapon."
"No fingerprints."
"But there's something else..."
Claire's voice became tight.
"What?"
The officer answered quietly.
"Someone left a black wedding invitation on his chest."
Only five words were printed inside.
THE NEXT CEREMONY BEGINS SOON.
Sophia slowly closed her eyes.
Richard Bennett had not been silenced because he betrayed the organization.
He had been silenced...
Because he knew who the real Master of the Black Veils was.
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And somewhere...
Another bride had already received her engagement ring.
