Chapter 4
The low, oscillating wail of police sirens began to pierce the heavy night air outside, growing louder and more insistent with every passing second as the red and blue emergency lights painted the tall ballroom windows in flashing crimson and azure stripes. Panic rippled through the gathered crowd like a sudden electric shock; bridesmaids scattered toward the side exits, and wealthy uncles hastily folded their napkins and headed for the coat check without a backward glance.
Clara’s manicured nails dug deep into the expensive white satin of her wedding dress skirt, tearing the delicate fabric as her breathing hitched into shallow, ragged gasps. "This is a setup," she hissed, her voice vibrating with suppressed fury as she looked from Marcus to Elena. "You planned this! You ruined my wedding day on purpose!"
"Your wedding day was built on a foundation of stolen money and forged documents, Clara," Elena replied calmly, smoothing down the front of her maroon dress. "You didn't just ruin a company; you destroyed innocent families whose pensions were tied up in those fraudulent accounts."
Julian staggered backward, his shoulder slamming hard against the tiered wedding cake, sending sugar flowers and white frosting cascading down the front of his dark suit. He didn't even seem to notice the mess, his wide eyes fixed on the heavy double doors of the ballroom as the brass handles began to turn. "Clara... what did you tell me about the offshore accounts? You said they were completely clean!"
"Shut up, you idiot!" Clara snapped, wheeling around to glare at her new husband with unadguised contempt. "If you hadn't tripped like a clumsy ox, we might have had time to get to the helicopter!"
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The heavy oak doors swung wide open with a resounding thud. Three uniformed police officers stepped into the grand ballroom, their heavy boots clicking rhythmically against the polished wooden floor, led by a stern-faced woman in a tailored detective’s suit who flashed a golden badge under the crystal chandeliers.
"Julian Vance and Clara Hayes?" the detective asked, her voice cutting through the remaining music playing softly from the abandoned sound system. "You're both under arrest for wire fraud, corporate embezzlement, and conspiracy to obstruct justice."
