Chapter 5 - The Documents Behind the Wedding Dress
On the morning of the wedding, the estate looked like a dream.
White roses covered the gates. Crystal chandeliers hung from temporary structures across the lawn. Musicians played beside the fountain while photographers moved among famous guests.
Amelia wore the beige satin dress Penelope had selected.
The other bridesmaids wore soft pink.
When Amelia asked why her dress was different, Penelope smiled.
“You’ve always wanted to stand apart.”
Blake was attending an emergency meeting in Chicago concerning the Hartwell loan. He promised to arrive before the reception ended.
Amelia had not told her family that he was Blake Campbell of Campbell Holdings.
She only said her husband might attend.
Richard laughed.
“I’m sure we can find a chair for him somewhere.”
Shortly before the ceremony, Cynthia asked Amelia to come to the bridal dressing room.
Richard was waiting inside.
On the table lay a stack of documents and a gold pen.
Penelope stood in front of the mirror while two stylists adjusted her veil.
“What is this?” Amelia asked.
“A temporary transfer of trust authority,” Richard said.
She read the first page.
It was not temporary.
The agreement would remove Amelia as trustee, release all restrictions on the reserve fund and approve retroactive payments to Everlight Events.
It also contained a statement declaring that Amelia had reviewed every prior transaction and found no misconduct.
“You want me to accept responsibility for the money you stole.”
Richard closed the door.
“Nobody stole anything.”
“You submitted false invoices.”
“Those funds protected the company.”
“And paid for this wedding.”
Penelope turned from the mirror.
“Why do you always make everything ugly?”
Amelia looked at the imported flowers, diamond hairpieces and hand-embroidered gown.
“Do you know where the money came from?”
“Dad said the company paid for it.”
“The company is drowning in debt.”
“That is not my fault.”
“No, but you created Everlight Events.”
Penelope’s face changed.
Richard stepped between them.
“Sign the agreement.”
“No.”
He moved closer.
“Campbell Holdings is reviewing our loan. If they freeze funding, Hartwell could collapse.”
“Then tell them the truth.”
“The truth would destroy thousands of jobs.”
“You used those employees as protection while you stole from them.”
Richard struck the table with his palm.
The stylists froze.
Cynthia whispered, “Please, Amelia. Do this for your family.”
Amelia looked at her mother.
“Did you know?”
Cynthia’s silence was an answer.
Penelope lifted the front of her gown and approached Amelia.
“This is the most important day of my life. Can you stop being selfish for one day?”
“Signing this could send me to prison.”
“Nobody is going to prison.”
“Because you believe Dad can protect you?”
Penelope’s eyes filled with tears.
“You have always hated me.”
Amelia felt the old instinct to defend herself.
She forced it down.
“No, Penelope. I hated what our parents taught you to become.”
Richard grabbed the documents.
“Sign them before the reception, or leave.”
Amelia opened the door.
“I choose to leave.”
May you like
As she walked toward the lawn, she did not notice Penelope following her.
Nor did she notice Richard take the shorter path toward the fountain.
