The Bride at the Chapel Door
Chapter 05 - The Bride at the Chapel Door
Claire dropped the chain before anyone reached her.
She claimed she had seen smoke and tried to unlock the chapel, but the photographs taken by guests showed something different: Claire leaving the tower path moments before the fire alarm sounded.
Firefighters broke the door open. The flames had remained near the entrance, producing more smoke than damage. Someone wanted the people inside frightened and the evidence delayed, not dead.
Elena was treated for smoke exposure. Julian refused to leave her side until she reminded him that his wedding guests were watching.
“There is no wedding,” he said.
Claire heard him.
In the manor’s drawing room, she finally admitted chaining the door. Her father called and told her the tower contained forged records that would destroy both families. He ordered her to keep everyone inside until his men could retrieve the compartment through a rear entrance.
“I didn’t know about the fire,” she insisted.
“You still locked us in,” Julian said.
Claire’s eyes filled. “Because you were going to abandon everything over a woman you met an hour ago.”
“This is not about Elena.”
“It became about her the second you touched that necklace.”
Elena understood the jealousy, but she would not accept it as an excuse.
Claire revealed that Whitmore Capital controlled Ashford debt. If Julian canceled the merger, Raymond could force immediate repayment and close factories employing nearly four thousand people.
“My father built the trap before you proposed,” Claire said. “The marriage was never about us.”
Julian looked devastated. “Did you know?”
“Not at first.”
“When did you learn?”
“Six months ago.”
They had become engaged eight months ago.
Claire had spent half their engagement knowing the wedding was a financial transaction designed by her father.
Noah secured the ledger and recording, but the evidence had a major weakness. The ledger was only a partial copy. Raymond could claim Samuel fabricated it. They needed the original bank transfer authorization or an independent witness.
Claire knew where Adrian Vale lived.
Adrian had left Ashford Holdings after Andrew’s death and disappeared from public life. Raymond told everyone he moved to Europe, but Claire had delivered cash to him at a private nursing residence in Connecticut.
“He’s sick,” she said. “And terrified of my father.”
“Will he testify?” Noah asked.
“Not for you.”
Claire looked at Elena.
“But he might for Samuel’s daughter.”
Before Elena could answer, police entered the room.
Raymond had reported the pendant stolen and accused Elena of setting the chapel fire as part of an extortion attempt. Officers had a warrant to search her sewing case.
Inside, they found a bottle of lamp oil and a typed demand for ten million dollars.
Elena had never seen either item.
May you like
Claire closed her eyes.
Her father had prepared a second story in case the first one failed.
