The Groom’s Real Vow
Chapter 02 - The Groom’s Real Vow
Olivia rose slowly, ignoring the blood on her palm. Her father, Richard Bennett, rushed toward her, but Julian stepped between them and told security not to let anyone leave. He claimed Olivia had suffered an emotional breakdown and needed to be removed before she embarrassed the family further.
The accusation was cruel, but carefully prepared.
For months, Julian had encouraged reporters to describe Olivia as fragile after her mother’s death. He had persuaded Richard that marriage would “stabilize” her and quietly arranged for a doctor connected to Marcus to sign a statement questioning her judgment. If Olivia appeared irrational in front of witnesses, Julian could argue that she was unfit to control Bennett Holdings.
Thomas pushed through the crowd and showed Richard the alert. Forty-eight million dollars had been moved from the company’s reserve account. A second notice said the voting shares had been transferred to Cross Meridian Partners, a corporation created only six weeks earlier.
Julian’s corporation.
Richard grabbed Julian by the lapels. “How did you authorize this?”
Julian calmly removed his hands. “Olivia signed everything this morning.”
“That’s a lie,” Olivia said.
Marcus returned without the folder and stood beside Julian. He produced a scanned document bearing Olivia’s signature and a notarized authorization granting Julian control upon marriage. The notary seal looked authentic. Even Thomas seemed shaken.
Julian turned to the guests. “I tried to protect her privacy. She has been confused, impulsive, and dangerous. Tonight proves it.”
Olivia understood the plan at last. The drugged champagne would make her disoriented. The falling tower would create a public scene. The forged medical letter would explain her behavior. By sunrise, Julian would own the company, and everyone would believe Olivia had willingly surrendered it.
But one detail had gone wrong: she had not taken the drink.
“Check the cameras,” Olivia told Thomas.
Marcus laughed. The ballroom recording system had gone offline eleven minutes earlier because of an “electrical failure.”
Julian leaned close enough for only Olivia to hear. “You should have signed when I asked nicely.”
Then Richard’s phone rang. It was the bank’s fraud director. Richard listened, his expression moving from panic to disbelief.
When he ended the call, he looked at Olivia. “They say the transfer was completed—but not to Julian.”
Every eye turned toward her.
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Olivia reached inside the hidden pocket of her wedding gown and removed a folded legal document.
“I know,” she said. “I authorized it.”
