Chapter 7 - THE DESPERATE CLAWSSerena’s mask of fragile innocence shattered completely.
The tearful, trembling bride vanished, replaced by a venomous, snarling predator. She leaped to her feet, her face twisted in an ugly, mask-like rage, pointing a shaking finger directly at my face.
"You miserable old bastard!" Serena screamed at the top of her lungs, throwing all pretense of elegance out the window. "You set me up! You spied on me like a creep in a cheap wig! You think you're so smart with your billions?! I'll ruin you! I'll sue you for emotional distress! I'll take half of everything Ethan owns!"
"You won't take a dime, Miss Cross," Marcus Vance replied smoothly, pulling another official document from his briefcase. "Under the revised pre-nuptial agreement signed by Mr. Ethan Vale this morning—and legally verified by the New York State Supreme Court—any partner attempting financial fraud, asset concealment, or conspiracy against the Vale estate forfeits all rights to marital property immediately."
Serena froze. "You... you had him sign a new pre-nup?"
"I signed it willingly, Serena," Ethan spoke up, his voice steady and cold as ice. He looked down at the woman he had loved with a look of profound disgust. "My father didn't trick me. He opened my eyes. We are done. The wedding is canceled."
"You can't do this to me!" Serena shrieked, lunging forward with her fingernails bared like claws, aiming directly for my eyes.
Before she could take two steps, the federal marshals intercepted her. They tackled her designer wedding dress into the polished marble floor, pinning her arms behind her back with brutal efficiency.
"Serena Cross, you are under arrest for grand larceny, identity falsification, and conspiracy to commit financial fraud," the marshal barked, snapping the second pair of handcuffs around her wrists.
May you like
As they dragged her kicking, screaming, and cursing toward the grand ballroom doors, her bridal veil ripped off and fluttered to the floor like a fallen leaf.
The heavy doors slammed shut behind her, plunging the ballroom into a heavy, suffocating silence.
