Chapter 8 - The Grand Exit"Well," I said, breaking the stunned silence as I straightened my cuffs. "It looks like the budget didn't quite stretch as far as expected."
I turned to Marcus, the venue director, who was standing quietly in the corner trying to make himself invisible. "Marcus, please escort the guests to the front gates. Make sure they understand that refreshments are canceled, but they’re welcome to take home a single unbranded rose from the lobby on their way out. My treat."
"Right away, Ms. Vance," Marcus said, unable to suppress a tiny twitch of a smile.
"Evelyn... please," Julian whispered, his bravado entirely vanished, leaving behind a pathetic, weeping boy in an expensive tuxedo. "Please don't do this. What am I going to tell everyone? Everyone is outside!"
"Tell them the truth," I said softly, pausing at the threshold of the door. "Tell them that when you treat people like disposable tools, eventually the tools realize they own the workshop."
I stepped out into the grand hallway, flanked by the two deputies.
Behind me, the sound of weeping, shouting, and mutual recrimination echoed through the historic stone walls. Chloe was screaming at Julian; Mom was hysterically berating Dad for failing to raise a competent son; and Aunt Brenda was furiously typing on her phone, undoubtedly trying to spin the scandal for neighborhood gossip.
I walked down the grand marble staircase, stepping out into the bright morning sunlight.
The three hundred wedding guests were milling about the front courtyard, dressed in their finest silks and tuxedos, looking confused as venue staff began rolling up the red carpet and dismantling the welcome arches.
As I approached my black Audi, flashbulbs suddenly went off.
A dozen paparazzi—tipped off by an anonymous source (namely, my personal public relations manager)—were standing at the edge of the private lane, long lenses snapping pictures of the abandoned wedding of the year.
“Miss Vance! Miss Vance! Is it true you foreclosed your brother's wedding?”
“Evelyn! Comment on the default!”
I paused by my driver's side door, slipped off my designer sunglasses, and looked directly into the camera lenses.
May you like
"The wedding is postponed indefinitely," I said clearly, my voice carrying across the courtyard. "Financial insolvency tends to dampen the romantic mood. Have a wonderful Saturday, everyone."
I got into my car, started the engine, and pulled away from Cedar Grove Estate, leaving the wreckage of my family's pride fading in my rearview mirror.
