Chapter 3 - THE UNSEALING OF THE VAULT
The silence in the grand ballroom was so absolute you could hear the faint hum of the air conditioning vents overhead. Every eye was locked on me, moving from the crimson silk of my suit down to Brinley sleeping peacefully against my chest, and finally back to the heavy gold-sealed envelope in my hand.
Connor’s knees visibly buckled. He gripped the edge of the altar table to steady himself, his chest heaving as panic threatened to tear him apart from the inside out.
“You’re bluffing,” Connor whispered, his voice trembling despite his desperate attempt to sound commanding. He looked out at the sea of wealthy investors and corporate partners sitting in the pews. “Don’t listen to her! She’s just a bitter ex-wife trying to ruin our special day because she couldn't accept that our marriage ran its course!”
Alyssa clutched her fake baby bump, her face turning an unappealing shade of ash. “Connor, make her leave! Call the police! She’s unhinged!”
Before security guards could even take a step down the center aisle, Parker stepped forward from behind me, holding up his official Davis Hardy law firm badge.
“I wouldn't touch her if I were you,” Parker announced, his deep, authoritative voice echoing off the crystal chandeliers. “Unless you want to be personally named as co-defendants in a multi-million-dollar civil obstruction suit. I am Parker Davis, senior litigation partner at Davis Hardy. And what my sister is about to open isn't a petty domestic dispute—it’s a certified corporate indictment and a forensic accounting of fraud.”
A collective gasp swept through the crowd. High-society gossips leaned in eagerly, while several major corporate investors sitting in the front rows stiffened, instantly recognizing the name of the premier legal powerhouse that controlled the city’s largest venture capital funds.
“Open it,” Connor croaked, his voice barely a whisper, his eyes wide with stark terror. “Elena... please. Let’s talk about this outside. Not here. Not in front of everyone.”
“Outside?” I raised an eyebrow, stepping closer to the base of the altar. “Why hide it outside, Connor? You always loved being the center of attention. You loved standing on stages and giving grand speeches about your vision, your company, and your legacy. Why not share the most important piece of news with your investors and your new bride right here?”
I broke the gold wax seal, slid out a stack of thick documents, and held the top page up for the room to see.
“First,” I said smoothly, “let’s talk about the company you proudly claim to built from scratch—Sterling Technologies.”
I let the papers flutter down onto the altar steps.
“Every single patent, every piece of intellectual property, and ninety-eight percent of the voting shares are held entirely within the Elena Vance Family Trust. You don’t own the company, Connor. You were simply a salaried employee with a fancy title and a glorified allowance. And as of ten minutes ago, the board of directors has voted unanimously to terminate your employment due to gross corporate embezzlement.”
The room erupted into a deafening roar of chatter. Investors stood up from their seats, whispering furiously among themselves. Connor looked like he had been struck by lightning.
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“That’s... that’s impossible,” Connor stammered, shaking his head frantically. “The board... I appointed them! They work for me!”
“They work for the trust, Connor,” Parker corrected him coolly. “And the trust answers to Elena.”
