CHAPTER 3 – The Truth Behind the Family
CHAPTER 3 – The Truth Behind the Family
The ballroom no longer felt like a wedding.
It felt like a courtroom.
One by one, guests began reading the printed messages Arthur had preserved.
"Transfer the penthouse, or I'll make sure every client abandons you."
"No one will believe you over your own mother."
"Nathan deserves it more than you."
The silence became unbearable.
Then Arthur spoke again.
"There is something else everyone deserves to know."
He looked directly at the board members from Bennett Holdings seated near the front.
"For the last five years, Rebecca has been the reason our company survived."
Confused faces filled the room.
Arthur continued.
"When Richard's health declined, Rebecca negotiated our largest international contracts."
"When Nathan's startup failed, she quietly paid off the debts."
"When Caroline spread rumors about her own daughter..."
"Rebecca said nothing because she wanted to protect this family's name."
Tears filled my father's eyes.
"I should have stopped this years ago," he whispered.
Arthur nodded sadly.
"Yes."
"You should have."
Nathan finally stepped toward me.
"I'm sorry."
His voice shook.
"I thought Mom would eventually stop."
I met his eyes.
"You didn't stop her either."
He lowered his head.
Across the ballroom, Olivia slowly removed her wedding ring.
She stared at Nathan as though she were seeing him for the first time.
"You knew?" she asked.
Nathan couldn't answer.
She quietly placed the ring on the table.
"I married a man."
"Not a coward."
Without another word, she walked out of the ballroom.
May you like
The orchestra remained silent.
No one tried to stop her.
