Chapter 9
The first rays of pale morning light cut through the dense canopy of oak trees surrounding the estate, casting long, golden shadows across the gravel driveway. Inside the grand dining room, the atmosphere was a stark contrast to the previous night's tense confrontation. The tables had been meticulously reset, adorned with towering arrangements of white roses, flickering silver candelabras, and crystal glassware that caught the morning light.
Eleanor stood near the head table, wearing a structured ivory-and-gold morning suit that projected absolute authority. Her dark hair was pinned up immaculately, a diamond brooch pinned to her lapel catching the light. She checked her gold wristwatch, a smug smile playing at the corners of her mouth. Everything was proceeding according to plan. The caterers were setting out the breakfast pastries, the string quartet was tuning their instruments on the terrace, and Marcus Vance had just confirmed his arrival for the pre-ceremony brunch.
Richard walked into the room, looking exhausted. He had dark circles under his eyes, the result of a sleepless night spent worrying about Koralie's threats. He adjusted his silk tie nervously, looking around the empty room before turning to Eleanor.
"Eleanor, are you sure we shouldn't have talked to Koralie again this morning?" Richard asked, his voice strained. "She hasn't answered her phone, and neither has Julian. What if she actually follows through on her threat?"
Eleanor scoffed softly, pouring herself a cup of black coffee from a silver pot. "Richard, darling, grow a spine. Koralie is throwing a tantrum because she's twenty-something and realizes she isn't the absolute center of the universe anymore. She will walk down that aisle because she cares too much about what society thinks to humiliate herself publicly. And once the ceremony is over, the legal documents file automatically. It's done."
"It's not done," a voice cut through the quiet room, clear and unwavering.
Eleanor froze, her coffee cup hovering inches from her lips. Richard spun around as the heavy oak doors of the dining room swung wide open.
Koralie walked into the room, flanked not by bridesmaids, but by Julian and Chloe. She wore a tailored white linen blazer over her elegant V-neck dress, her expression an unreadable mask of absolute determination. In her hand, she carried a thick manila folder and a digital tablet displaying the exported master directory.
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"Good morning, Eleanor," Koralie said, her voice echoing off the crystal chandeliers. "I hope you saved room at the head table. We have a few unexpected guests arriving shortly."
Eleanor set her coffee cup down with a sharp clatter, her face flushing with sudden anger. "Koralie, what is the meaning of this insolence? The ceremony is in two hours. Get upstairs and put on your veil immediately."
