Chapter 8 - Chloe’s Last Lie
In the ballroom, Chloe’s wedding had collapsed around her.
Nathan had removed his wedding band.
The officers had not formally arrested Chloe or Eleanor yet, but both women were being questioned separately while the security recordings were copied.
Guests quietly collected their belongings.
Some deleted the videos they had recorded after Gabriel warned them that distributing footage of Vivienne’s humiliation could result in legal action.
Others approached Vivienne to apologize for watching without intervening.
She accepted none of their excuses.
Nathan stood near the abandoned wedding cake.
“I’m sorry,” he said when Vivienne passed.
“You did not create the plan.”
“I should have recognized what she was capable of.”
Vivienne looked at him.
“We both ignored things because we wanted to believe the best about someone.”
Nathan glanced toward Chloe.
“She told me her family had paid the remaining wedding balance.”
“They did not.”
“She forged an email from my father’s assistant.”
The wedding planner had uncovered additional evidence.
Chloe had ordered designer furniture, imported flowers and a second couture gown without Nathan’s knowledge. When the bills became impossible to hide, she created the theft plan.
The real ring would remain hidden until the insurance company approved the claim. The replica in Vivienne’s gown would make the accusation believable while creating confusion about whether the recovered item was genuine.
Chloe also believed the scandal would drive Vivienne away from Dominic.
Eleanor had supported the plan because she feared Vivienne was becoming too independent.
“She thinks you are taking Dominic away from us,” Eleanor told Vivienne as an officer escorted her through the ballroom.
Vivienne almost laughed.
“I spent three years asking him to stand beside me. He chose you every time.”
Eleanor’s expression hardened.
“You will destroy this family.”
“No. I am simply no longer protecting it from the consequences of its choices.”
Near the exit, Chloe broke away from the officer questioning her and rushed toward Gabriel.
“You cannot cancel the reception,” she cried. “We have contracts. We have guests.”
Gabriel looked around the nearly empty room.
“The reception is already over.”
“You promised us the ballroom.”
“I offered the ballroom under the condition that my staff and property would be respected.”
“This is my wedding day!”
“You used my building to stage a crime against my daughter.”
Chloe pointed toward the decorations.
“Do you know how much all of this cost?”
“Yes. My finance team has reviewed the unpaid invoices.”
Chloe’s face changed.
Gabriel continued.
“The venue fee was waived as a gift from Vivienne. That gift has been withdrawn. Your family will now receive an invoice for the full rental cost, additional security, cleanup and damages.”
Eleanor stopped walking.
“You cannot do that.”
“The contract allows the venue to revoke complimentary services following fraud, violence or intentional property damage. Your attorney may review it.”
Chloe turned desperately toward Dominic.
“Fix this!”
Dominic stood alone beneath the chandeliers, still holding Vivienne’s wedding ring.
“I can’t.”
“You caused this,” Chloe shouted at Vivienne. “You could have stayed quiet!”
May you like
Vivienne met her eyes.
“That was the one thing you were counting on.”
