Chapter 6 - The Flash of the Lens
The bright camera flash cut through the dim interior of the chapel like a bolt of lightning, instantly blinding the front rows. A collective gasp echoed through the pews as a tall, sharp-featured man in a rumpled trench coat stepped inside, holding a professional DSLR camera up to his eye and firing off rapid shots of the empty altar and the stunned guests.
"Hold your horses, folks!" the man called out, his voice booming in the vaulted space. "Is the bride still powdering her nose, or did the groom realize he was buying a lemon?"
It was Liam Vance, an investigative journalist known for tearing down high-society scandals with ruthless efficiency. He wasn't even on the guest list, yet somehow he had breached the private perimeter of the estate mere minutes after the confrontation in the bridal room.
Mrs. Vance leaped to her feet, her face contorted with rage and panic. "Get that camera out of here! This is a private ceremony! Security, remove this man immediately!"
"Security is currently busy up in the east wing, Mrs. Vance," Liam replied with a smug grin, lowering his camera slightly to study her panicked expression. "Word travels fast when an offshore account gets flagged for millions of dollars in fraudulent transfers. Care to comment on your daughter’s sudden career pivot from bride to suspect?"
Sarah and Chloe quickly ducked down the side aisle, eager to distance themselves from the unfolding media circus. The guests began whispering wildly, standing up from their pews and reaching for their smartphones to check local news feeds.
From the balcony overlooking the rear of the chapel, Julian looked down at the chaos below. He stood entirely alone now, having escorted Lily to a secure, private suite on the top floor under the protection of his personal security detail. His expression remained unreadable, his dark suit blending into the shadows of the stonework.
Liam spotted Julian on the balcony and raised his camera, capturing the austere silhouette against the stained glass. "Ah, Mr. Sterling! Care to give a statement on the million-dollar disappearing act?"
Julian did not flinch. He slowly raised his right hand, making a single, subtle gesture to the head of security stationed near the chapel entrance. Two burly guards immediately moved in, grabbing Liam by his arms and physically hauling him toward the exit, despite his loud protests.
"You can't muzzle the press!" Liam shouted as he was dragged backward down the stone steps. "The whole city is going to know about this by sundown!"
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As the heavy doors slammed shut behind the journalist, a heavy, oppressive silence fell over the chapel once more, leaving the remaining guests paralyzed by uncertainty.
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