Chapter 2 - HER $500,000 WEDDING DRESS WAS A LIE—AND THE BAILIFFS JUST ARRIVED!
Panicked murmurs exploded across the ballroom like wildfire. High-society guests who had seconds ago been taking videos and snickering at the "poor cleaning woman" were now frantically gathering their coats, desperate to distance themselves from the disgraced Sterling family.
"Wait! Everyone stay!" Victoria screamed at the fleeing crowd, her voice cracking with hysteria. "It’s a misunderstanding! The Sterlings are royalty in this city!"
"You were royalty, Victoria," Eleanor corrected calmly, taking a pristine glass of sparkling water offered to her by her head of security. "Until your husband’s offshore shell companies collapsed in the European market this morning. You thought marrying Chloe off to Julian would save your family from bankruptcy, didn't you?"
Chloe stumbled backward, her hand pressing against her mouth as she looked at Julian with horror. "Julian... you told me you were worth three billion dollars! You said Vance Global was your personal family trust!"
Julian couldn't even look her in the eye. Sweat dripped down his nose onto his velvet lapel. "Chloe... I was going to secure the funding after the wedding! If Madam Chairwoman had just approved the merger—"
"The merger was rejected three hours ago," Eleanor stated, taking a slow sip of water. "I personally reviewed the audit. You falsified three years of revenue reports, Julian. You used Vance Global funds to pay for Chloe’s diamond tiara, the venue deposit, and even the private jet that brought her parents here today."
Suddenly, three officials in formal blue uniforms accompanied by city police officers stepped into the hall. The lead officer held a stack of legal seizure warrants.
"Victoria Sterling? Arthur Sterling?" the officer announced loudly over the sound system. "We are officers of the court. We have an immediate writ of attachment against all personal property on these premises under the name of Sterling Enterprises."
Victoria’s eyes rolled back, and she nearly fainted into her husband's arms. "Property? What property?!"
"Starting with that dress," the officer said flatly, pointing at Chloe. "The dress, the diamond necklace, and the custom tiara were purchased using fraudulent checks drawn on a defaulted account. Hand them over immediately, or you will be taken into custody for grand larceny."
The hall gasped. Chloe burst into hysterical tears, clutching her dress. "No! You can't make me take off my dress in front of everyone! Julian, do something! You promised me I would be a queen today!"
Julian stepped back, his eyes darting frantically toward the exit. "Leave me out of this! She’s the one who picked out the expensive dress! I didn't sign the lease on the tiara!"
"You cowardly snake!" Victoria shrieked, pouncing on Julian and grabbing him by the collar. "You tricked my daughter! You lied to us!"
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As the former mother-in-law and groom began physically clawing at each other in the middle of the ballroom, Eleanor turned her back on the chaos. But as she took a step toward the doors, a young waitress in a stained uniform stepped out from behind the service curtain, looking terrified.
Eleanor stopped dead in her tracks. Her eyes locked onto the girl’s neck—specifically, a small, faded silver locket resting against her collarbone.
