Then the dashcam recording played across the ballroom speakers.
“I’ll say Elena did it. Marcus promised me half once she’s gone.”
The room exploded into chaos.
Marcus tried shutting down the projector, but detectives stopped him immediately.
Federal agents read the charges aloud:
Fraud.
Perjury.
Witness tampering.
Conspiracy.
Obstruction.
Guests backed away from Marcus and Vivian like they carried disease.
Vivian instantly turned on him.
“Marcus made me do it!”
Marcus shouted back:
“You wanted the money!”
And just like that, their perfect love story died in public.
I stepped close enough for Marcus to see my hands never trembled.
“You stole my freedom,” I told him. “You stole my father’s company. You buried my name beneath a lie.”
His face finally broke.
“Elena… please. We can fix this.”
I leaned closer.
“No, Marcus. I already did.”
