Chapter 3 - A Wedding Built on Secrets
The ceremony was beautiful.
White roses covered the aisle. A string quartet played beneath the high ceiling, and sunlight streamed through the chapel windows as Chloe walked toward Nathan.
For nearly an hour, there were no arguments.
Vivienne allowed herself to relax.
Dominic sat beside her and held her hand.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
She looked at him.
“Even with my visually distracting stomach?”
His expression tightened.
“My mother should not have said that.”
“But she did.”
“I’ll talk to her after the wedding.”
“You always promise to speak to her later.”
“This isn’t the time.”
Vivienne withdrew her hand.
After the ceremony, the guests traveled to Aurelia Grand.
The ballroom glowed beneath hundreds of crystal lights. Tall floral arrangements filled the center of every table. Musicians played near the dance floor, while uniformed servers carried glasses of champagne through the crowd.
Gabriel had not attended the ceremony.
He had been delayed at a charity board meeting, but he promised Vivienne he would visit the reception before the evening ended.
“Call me if you need anything,” he told her.
Vivienne smiled at the time.
“What could possibly happen at a wedding?”
The first hour passed peacefully.
Then Vivienne saw Chloe arguing with the wedding planner near the bridal suite.
Chloe’s face was red.
“You told me those invoices were handled,” the planner said quietly.
“Lower your voice.”
“The vendors are demanding payment.”
“My husband’s family will pay them.”
“Nathan’s father has already refused.”
Chloe noticed Vivienne nearby and immediately changed her tone.
“There you are. Eleanor needs help arranging the family gifts.”
Vivienne did not move.
“Is there a problem with the vendors?”
“No.”
“The planner mentioned unpaid invoices.”
Chloe stepped closer.
“You received a free invitation, a free meal and the privilege of attending my wedding. Do not involve yourself in matters that are none of your business.”
“This ballroom is my business.”
Chloe laughed.
“Your father manages it. That does not make it yours.”
Vivienne studied her expression.
Chloe truly did not know.
Dominic had apparently never told his family about Vivienne’s ownership in Hart Hospitality.
Vivienne decided not to correct her.
As she walked away, she noticed Eleanor entering the bridal suite with a silver champagne bucket.
Twenty minutes later, Chloe appeared on the dance floor without her ring.
At first, no one noticed.
Then she stopped the music.
“My ring is missing!”
The musicians fell silent.
Guests turned toward her.
Nathan hurried to her side.
“When did you last see it?”
“I had it in the bridal suite.”
“Did you leave it on the table?”
“No. I placed it inside its velvet box.”
Eleanor stepped forward.
“Has anyone entered the room?”
Chloe’s eyes moved directly toward Vivienne.
“She did.”
Vivienne frowned.
“I walked past the room. I never went inside.”
“You were standing near the door.”
“So were several members of the wedding staff.”
Chloe began breathing rapidly.
“That ring has been in Nathan’s family for generations. It is worth more than a million dollars.”
Nathan placed a hand on her shoulder.
“We’ll search the suite calmly.”
Chloe pulled away.
“No one leaves the ballroom until it is found.”
Marcus and two security guards approached.
“We can review the cameras and control access to the exits,” he said.
Chloe’s expression hardened.
“There were no cameras inside the bridal suite.”
“No, but there are cameras in the corridor.”
Eleanor moved between them.
“We do not need to turn this wedding into a police investigation. Search the people who entered the area.”
May you like
Chloe looked at Vivienne’s evening bag.
“Start with her.”
