Chapter 5 - The Wedding Continues
Richard returned the following morning.
Elena met him inside his private office at Ward Development. Maya and Daniel joined them.
For several minutes, Richard said nothing as Elena explained everything.
She showed him the forged signatures, shell companies and marriage documents. She played Victoria’s recording.
Richard listened without interruption.
When Elena finished, he walked toward the window.
“I welcomed him into our family,” he said.
“You didn’t know.”
“I trusted him with you.”
“This is not your fault.”
Richard turned.
“Did he hurt you?”
Elena hesitated.
Her father saw the answer before she spoke.
“He grabbed me once,” she said. “He monitored me. He isolated me. He lied constantly.”
Richard moved toward the door.
“Where is he?”
Maya stepped in front of him.
“Richard, anger is exactly what the Pierce family expects. We need the evidence secured before they realize Elena is cooperating with investigators.”
“I will not allow my daughter to stand beside that man for another second.”
Elena took her father’s hand.
“I won’t marry him.”
“Then cancel the ceremony.”
“We need Nolan and Victoria to think I might.”
Elena explained the plan.
She would contact Nolan and claim that Richard had pressured her to avoid public scandal. The wedding preparations would continue, but the marriage license would remain unsigned.
Meanwhile, investigators would monitor the Pierce family’s financial activity. Elena would try to obtain their final documents and communications.
Richard rejected the idea immediately.
“It is too dangerous.”
“I will have security around me.”
“He has already harmed you.”
“And if we stop now, they may escape with millions meant for families who trusted us.”
Richard looked at Daniel.
“Can you guarantee her safety?”
“No,” Daniel said. “But we can significantly reduce the risk. The hotel will have undercover officers. Elena will never be alone with Nolan.”
Richard remained silent.
Elena squeezed his hand.
“For months, they made me feel powerless. Let me finish this.”
Finally, Richard nodded.
Nolan answered Elena’s call on the first ring.
“I knew you would come back,” he said.
“I spoke to my father.”
“And?”
“He doesn’t want a scandal.”
A long pause followed.
“Neither do I,” Nolan said.
Elena forced herself to sound defeated.
“I’ll return for the rehearsal dinner.”
“My mother expects an apology.”
“I understand.”
The words tasted bitter.
When Elena arrived at the Pierce townhouse, Victoria embraced her in front of the staff.
Privately, she was less welcoming.
“You caused unnecessary trouble,” Victoria said.
Elena lowered her eyes.
“My father explained the consequences.”
“He is wiser than I expected.”
Nolan took Elena’s hand.
His thumb pressed against her fingers in a silent warning.
“The past week has been difficult,” he said. “But after the ceremony, everything will be different.”
“I’m sure it will.”
That night, Elena entered the bedroom Nolan had once treated as their shared space.
A new document waited on the desk.
It authorized Pierce Strategic Group to manage all Ward Development investments for ten years.
“Sign it,” Nolan said.
Elena looked at the signature line.
“Why tonight?”
“My mother needs confirmation that your family is committed.”
“I thought we were signing everything after the wedding.”
Nolan’s jaw tightened.
“Do not start another argument.”
Elena reached for the pen.
Then she deliberately allowed her hand to shake.
“I need water.”
Nolan sighed and left the room.
The moment the door closed, Elena photographed every page using a hidden camera built into her necklace.
She also photographed Nolan’s phone lying on the bedside table.
A message from Victoria appeared on the screen.
Make sure she signs before Richard reaches the hotel. Once the shares move, Elena becomes irrelevant.
Elena’s fear disappeared beneath a wave of cold determination.
She returned the phone to its place.
When Nolan came back, she pretended to feel ill.
He agreed to delay the signature until morning.
May you like
The evidence had been captured.
But the danger was far from over.
