Chapter 7 - The Dominoes Fall"Right away, Mr. Sterling," Director Vance replied briskly.
The screen flickered again. This time, it didn't show the ballroom. It showed the hotel's financial records and legal files, projected in large, bold letters for every single guest to see.
"As of six minutes ago," my father announced calmly, folding his hands behind his back, "Sterling Global Holdings holds the master mortgage, corporate debt, and operational lease for the entire venue where we are currently standing."
The bride’s father let out a choked gasp and grabbed his chest, leaning against a pillar.
"Furthermore," my father continued, "the business loans that financed the Miller family's dry-cleaning enterprise were underwritten by a subsidiary of Sterling Capital." He turned his icy gaze to Eleanor and Chloe. "Those loans have just been called in. In full. Effective immediately. By morning, your family will not only be bankrupt; you will be facing federal audit and asset seizure."
"No!" Eleanor screamed, lunging forward as if she wanted to attack me, but two of Director Vance's security guards instantly intercepted her, pinning her arms behind her back with practiced ease.
"And as for you, Mr. Miller," my father said, turning his piercing gaze toward Dominic.
Dominic dropped to his knees on the marble floor, trembling violently. He looked up at me, tears streaming down his face, his hands clasped together in desperate supplication.
"Vivienne... please," Dominic sobbed, choking on his own words. "I was weak. I was a coward. I let them blind me. But I love you! Please, don't let your father destroy us. We're husband and wife..."
I looked down at the man I had given three years of my life to. The man who had watched his mother and sister tear my dress, humiliate me in front of two hundred people, and accuse me of a felony—and had told me to just let them search my things to keep the peace.
"We were husband and wife, Dominic," I said softly, reaching into my pocket and pulling out my gold wedding band. I dropped it on the floor, letting it roll away and stop right next to Chloe's stolen diamond ring.
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"My lawyers filed the paperwork for an expedited, fault-based annulment and divorce fifty minutes ago," I said calmly. "You won't get a single dime of my family's money. In fact, my legal team will be suing you and your family for emotional distress, defamation, and damages."
Dominic let out a broken, animalistic wail, collapsing face-first onto the marble floor, pounding his fists against the ground as the reality of his utter ruin washed over him.
