Chapter 5 - The Room Without Cameras)
Elise did not know when fear became certainty.
Perhaps it happened when Julian dismissed the security officers.
Perhaps it was when Conrad arrived and quietly told the hotel manager that the entire incident was a family misunderstanding.
Or perhaps it was the moment Victoria hugged Elise in front of three witnesses and whispered into her ear.
"You have no idea how much damage you are causing."
Elise stepped away.
"Do not touch me."
Victoria smiled as if nothing were wrong.
The hotel manager stood nearby.
"We can arrange a private room for everyone to calm down."
"No," Elise said.
Julian spoke over her.
"That would be best."
Clara immediately objected.
"Elise said no."
Conrad looked at the manager.
"This reception cost more than most people earn in ten years. I am sure the hotel can provide us five minutes of privacy."
The manager looked uncomfortable.
Elise realized Conrad knew exactly how to weaponize politeness.
She also realized privacy was the last thing she wanted.
"I am staying here."
Julian lowered his voice.
"You are making a spectacle."
"You should have considered that before forging my signature."
Two nearby guests turned.
Conrad's smile tightened.
"Enough."
Elise held up Tomas's envelope.
"No. Not enough."
Julian saw the banking agreement.
His face darkened.
"Give me that."
"Why?"
"It is stolen."
"It concerns my property."
"It concerns confidential Wycliffe business."
"And my father's company."
That caught Victoria's attention.
"What?"
Elise looked at all three Wycliffes.
"Aurelius."
Conrad became motionless.
Elise continued.
"My father founded it."
For several seconds no one responded.
Then Julian laughed.
It sounded forced.
"Your father owns a vineyard."
"He owns several things."
Conrad looked at Elise more carefully.
"No."
She almost enjoyed the disbelief.
"You have met my father six times."
"I know who your father is."
"Apparently not."
Conrad's phone appeared in his hand.
He typed quickly.
Victoria leaned toward him.
"What is happening?"
He ignored her.
Julian stepped closer to Elise.
"Where is the drive?"
"Safe."
"Give it to me."
"No."
He reached.
Elise moved back.
Clara came between them.
Security intervened.
"Sir, please keep your distance."
Julian looked at the officer as if he were an insect.
"This is my wife."
The officer's expression did not change.
"And she asked you to stay back."
For the first time, Julian seemed to understand that his surname might not automatically control every person in the room.
Conrad returned his phone to his pocket.
"We need privacy."
Elise laughed bitterly.
"You keep saying that."
Conrad lowered his voice.
"Because there are issues here you do not understand."
"Then explain them in front of witnesses."
"Elise."
"No."
Julian's patience snapped.
"Stop acting like a child."
She looked at him.
"This marriage is over."
The words came without planning.
Once spoken, they felt more honest than anything she had said all day.
Julian stared.
Victoria's face went rigid.
Conrad closed his eyes briefly.
Clara moved closer to Elise.
Julian finally said, "You do not mean that."
"I do."
"We have been married for two hours."
"Two hours too long."
His nostrils flared.
"Give me the drive."
"No."
"Give it to me and we can fix this."
"There is nothing to fix."
Julian smiled without humor.
"You think you can walk away from me?"
"Watch me."
Elise turned toward the elevator.
Julian grabbed her upper arm.
The security officer stepped forward.
"Sir."
Julian released her.
Everyone was staring now.
Guests had begun moving into the corridor.
Elise could see phones lifted.
Julian noticed too.
His entire personality changed.
He smiled.
"My wife is overwhelmed."
Elise felt sick.
"Do not."
He continued for the audience.
"It has been an emotional day."
Clara said loudly, "She told you not to touch her."
Victoria approached Elise.
"Come with me."
"No."
"We will fix your dress."
"I said no."
Victoria smiled toward the watching guests.
Then she whispered, "You are humiliating yourself."
Elise looked toward the stairs.
Where was her father?
He had said five minutes.
Julian seemed to read her thoughts.
"Waiting for Daddy?"
The contempt in his voice stunned her.
"He is coming."
"Good."
Julian straightened his cuffs.
"Maybe he can finally explain why his daughter believes marriage is optional."
Clara stared at him.
"What century are you from?"
Julian ignored her.
Conrad suddenly received a call.
He stepped away to answer.
His face changed.
"Who authorized that?"
Elise watched him.
Conrad turned toward Julian.
"We need the drive now."
Julian understood.
Something had happened.
Something financial.
Something bigger than the wedding.
He reached for Elise again.
She backed into the bridal suite corridor.
Clara followed.
The security officers moved with them.
Then fire alarms suddenly began sounding in another part of the hotel.
Guests shouted.
Hotel staff rushed toward the ballroom.
One security officer lifted his radio.
A voice crackled through it.
"Smoke detector on level six. Possible electrical issue."
The officer looked at his colleague.
"We need one of you upstairs."
"I stay with the bride."
The confusion lasted less than ten seconds.
It was enough.
Julian caught Elise's wrist and pulled her through a side door.
Clara screamed.
Elise stumbled.
Julian dragged her into an unused private dining room and slammed the door.
The room was dark except for light coming through the windows.
Elise yanked free.
"Are you insane?"
"Where is it?"
He locked the door.
Her heart hammered.
"Open that door."
"The drive."
"No."
Julian stepped closer.
Elise backed away.
"I am warning you."
He laughed.
"Warning me with what?"
"My father is downstairs."
"Your father is an old man with a secret company."
Elise almost felt sorry for him.
Even now, Julian had no idea.
"He is not the person you think he is."
Julian's face twisted.
"Neither are you."
He grabbed her shoulder.
Elise shoved him.
His hand struck her cheek.
The sound stunned both of them.
For a moment neither moved.
Pain spread across Elise's face.
Julian stared at his own hand.
Then at her.
He did not apologize.
Instead he said, "Look what you made me do."
Elise's fear disappeared.
Something colder replaced it.
She reached beneath her dress.
Julian saw the movement.
He seized the small silver recording device attached inside the gown.
"Recording me?"
He threw it against the wall and crushed it beneath his shoe.
Elise looked at the broken pieces.
Then at him.
Julian smiled.
"Now where is the drive?"
Elise heard pounding outside.
Clara.
Security.
Then another voice.
Her father's.
Julian did not recognize it at first.
Elise did.
For the first time since entering the room, she smiled.
Julian frowned.
"What?"
May you like
Elise looked toward the door.
"You should be worried."
