Chapter 6 - What Happened Inside the Bridal LoungeOlivia entered the bridal lounge to collect her purse.
She planned to leave Ashbourne Estate and spend the night at her mother’s home.
The wedding would not happen until Preston told her the truth about his debts, the documents, and his mother’s growing control over their lives.
Before she could leave, she heard voices in the hallway.
Eleanor and Preston were approaching.
Olivia stepped into a dressing area behind a decorative partition.
They entered and locked the door.
The bridal lounge contained a wall safe for jewelry and wedding gifts. After a theft at another event, the venue had installed a security camera aimed toward the safe, the entrance, and the central table.
A notice beside the door disclosed the camera.
Eleanor had covered the notice earlier with a floral schedule.
She had not noticed the dark glass lens near the ceiling.
Olivia had.
From behind the partition, she listened as Eleanor placed a folder on the table.
“His signature is on the authorization page,” Preston said.
“It is on the deed.”
“You said it was an authorization.”
“I said your father would believe it was an authorization.”
Preston stepped back.
“You tricked me.”
“Do not pretend to be offended. You knew what we needed.”
“I knew you wanted temporary control of the house.”
“We need permanent assets if we are going to clear your debts.”
Olivia pressed one hand over her mouth.
Eleanor removed an amber medicine bottle from her purse.
“The medication is working faster now. He could barely hold the pen at the rehearsal dinner.”
“What if the nurse notices?”
“She won’t have time. Once your father signs the transfer, the house belongs to us. After that, it won’t matter what she notices.”
Preston stared at the bottle.
“You said it would only make him confused.”
“It makes him cooperative. That is all you need to know.”
For several seconds, Preston said nothing.
That silence destroyed Olivia’s last hope.
He did not call the police.
He did not run to his father.
He asked, “What happens after the wedding?”
Eleanor opened the folder.
“We file the deed. You receive the house as collateral for a private loan. Your debts disappear. I become your father’s legal guardian when his condition worsens.”
“And the company?”
“Daniel controls too much of it. We deal with the company later.”
Olivia quietly removed her phone and sent a message to the estate’s security director.
Preserve all camera footage from the bridal lounge immediately. Do not alert the Hartwell family. Possible crime in progress.
She then recorded a short audio clip on her own phone.
Behind the partition, her breathing sounded unbearably loud.
Preston suddenly walked toward the dressing area.
Olivia looked for another exit.
Before he reached the partition, someone knocked on the lounge door.
It was the wedding coordinator.
“Mr. Hartwell, the photographer needs the groom.”
Preston stopped.
Eleanor returned the bottle to her purse.
“We will finish tomorrow night,” she whispered.
They left.
Olivia remained hidden until their footsteps disappeared.
Then she contacted Maya.
The nurse answered on the first ring.
“I think they drugged him,” Olivia said.
Maya became silent.
“What did you hear?”
“Enough to stop the wedding.”
“No,” Maya replied. “Do not confront them yet.”
“They are stealing his house.”
“And if they know you heard them, they may destroy the evidence. Go to estate security. Get a copy of that footage. I am taking Richard for blood tests tomorrow morning.”
Olivia wiped tears from her face.
“What about Preston?”
May you like
Maya’s answer was gentle but direct.
“You need to decide whether you are protecting the man you hoped he was or stopping the man he has chosen to become.”
Related Stories
