Chapter 4 - Unraveling the Web
The heavy thud of approaching footsteps outside the bridal suite hallway signaled the arrival of hotel security before the police could even make their way up from the lobby. Two uniformed guards stopped at the open doorway, their eyes darting between the weeping flower girl, the furious bridesmaids, and the bride standing trapped in her elaborate white gown.
The lead guard stepped inside, touching the brim of his cap respectfully.
“Mr. Vance? You requested assistance?”
Daniel nodded curtly, gesturing toward Clara with a wave of his hand.
“Escort this woman off the premises. Ensure she takes none of the jewelry or gifts associated with this event. She is officially barred from the property.”
Clara shrieked, lunging forward with her fingernails extended toward Daniel’s face, but the guards were faster. They grabbed her arms securely, pulling her back before she could inflict any damage. The pristine white tulle of her wedding dress caught on the corner of the vanity table, ripping with a loud, satisfying tear as she was dragged backward toward the door.
Clara screamed, her voice echoing down the hallway for all the guests to hear.
“You will regret this, Daniel! Julian will destroy you! You don't know half of what we've already signed!”
The heavy oak door slammed shut behind the guards and Clara, cutting off her shrill threats and plunging the bridal suite into an abrupt, ringing silence. The air in the room felt lighter, though the emotional wreckage remained scattered everywhere like the fallen rose petals on the floor.
Daniel let out a long, shaky breath, running a hand through his neatly styled hair until it stood on end. He looked down at Lily, who was still clutching his hand as if afraid he might vanish into thin air.
Daniel whispered softly, crouching down to her eye level.
“Are you okay, Lily?”
Lily nodded slowly, a tiny, tentative smile finally touching the corners of her mouth.
“I'm okay, Daddy. We're safe now, right?”
Daniel forced a reassuring smile, though his mind was racing with the implication of Clara’s parting words about Julian. What else had they signed? What documents had Julian managed to slip past his legal team during the chaotic merger negotiations last month?
Sarah, still holding her phone by her side, stepped forward hesitantly.
“Daniel... about what Clara just yelled. Julian has been handling all the physical signature transfers for the overseas accounts since last week. If she mentioned that he has control, you need to check the corporate terminal immediately.”
Daniel’s blood ran cold. He pulled out his phone again, dialing his chief financial officer with trembling fingers while the remaining bridesmaids watched in anxious sympathy.
Daniel barked into the receiver the second it connected.
“Marcus, lock down all primary accounts right now. Do not authorize a single wire transfer.”
Marcus’s voice came through the speaker, breathless and laced with immediate panic.
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“Mr. Vance, it’s too late. The primary asset transfer went through twenty minutes ago.”
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