Chapter 5 — The Scandal
Chapter 5 — The Scandal
Mary arrived at the hospital seventeen minutes after the call.
Seventeen minutes.
She would remember the number for the rest of her life.
The emergency entrance was crowded with doctors, nurses, police officers, and members of her father's security team.
The moment she stepped through the automatic doors, a doctor approached.
“Ms. Carter?”
“Yes.”
“Your father was brought in after a collision.”
“Is he alive?”
The doctor hesitated.
“Yes. But he's in critical condition.”
Mary closed her eyes for one second.
Only one.
Then she opened them.
“Can I see him?”
“Not yet.”
“Why?”
“He's undergoing emergency surgery.”
Mary nodded.
“Who was driving?”
The doctor looked uncomfortable.
“The police are investigating.”
Mary immediately understood.
This wasn't being treated as an ordinary accident.
She turned to Claire.
“Find out everything.”
Claire nodded.
“I'm on it.”
Mary walked toward the waiting area.
And then the television mounted above the reception desk caught her attention.
Her own face appeared on the screen.
Her wedding photograph.
Her engagement photograph.
Her family.
Then the headline:
BILLIONAIRE BRIDE ABANDONS GROOM HOURS BEFORE WEDDING
Mary stared.
The presenter continued.
“Sources close to the Carter and Carter-Sloan families say the wedding collapsed after an explosive disagreement between the couple. Witnesses claim the bride became emotionally unstable shortly before the ceremony…”
Claire swore under her breath.
Mary didn't move.
The story continued.
“Some insiders allege that Ms. Carter may have discovered financial irregularities involving her fiancé. However, representatives of Mr. Ethan Carter deny these claims.”
Mary's eyes hardened.
“They moved quickly.”
Claire looked at her phone.
“Too quickly.”
Mary turned.
“What do you mean?”
Claire showed her the screen.
There were hundreds of articles.
Thousands of social media posts.
And one photograph was spreading everywhere.
A photograph of Mary leaving the presidential suite.
Her expression looked cold.
Her dress was slightly wrinkled.
She appeared furious.
The caption beneath it read:
Bride storms out after catching fiancé cheating?
Mary looked at it.
“That's not the worst one.”
Claire scrolled.
Another headline appeared.
MARY CARTER'S SECRET MELTDOWN BEFORE WEDDING REVEALED
Another:
DID MONEY DRIVE THE CARTER WEDDING?
And another:
BILLIONAIRE HEIRESS ACCUSED OF MANIPULATING FIANCÉ'S FAMILY
Mary slowly took the phone.
“Who gave them this?”
“Someone with access to the hotel.”
“Ethan?”
“Probably.”
Mary shook her head.
“No.”
Claire looked at her.
“Why not?”
“Because Ethan wants sympathy.”
Mary handed the phone back.
“Someone else wants me destroyed.”
Across town, Ethan sat in a private office watching the same coverage.
Vanessa's face appeared next.
The presenter described her as a “mysterious socialite.”
Ethan smiled.
Richard walked into the room.
“Turn it off.”
Ethan didn't.
“Why?”
“Because you're enjoying this.”
“Of course I am.”
Richard's expression darkened.
“This isn't over.”
“I know.”
“You exposed yourself.”
“No.”
Ethan finally looked at him.
“Mary exposed herself.”
Richard stared.
“What are you talking about?”
“She showed everyone the documents.”
“She had the footage.”
“Exactly.”
Ethan leaned back.
“She thinks the footage proves I'm guilty.”
“It does.”
Ethan smiled.
“Only if the public believes her.”
Richard's eyes narrowed.
“What have you done?”
Ethan picked up his phone.
“Nothing.”
He smiled.
“Not yet.”
At the hospital, Claire returned.
“The police found the car.”
“And?”
“It was your father's.”
“Was he alone?”
“No.”
Mary turned sharply.
“Who was with him?”
Claire hesitated.
“A woman.”
“Who?”
“We don't know.”
Mary's stomach tightened.
“Find out.”
“We're trying.”
Mary looked toward the operating room.
“Anything else?”
Claire nodded.
“The brakes may have been tampered with.”
Mary went silent.
“What?”
“The mechanic examining the vehicle found signs of interference.”
Mary's eyes darkened.
“So it wasn't an accident.”
“That's what it looks like.”
Mary sat down.
For the first time since the wedding, her hands began to shake.
She clasped them together.
“Who knew where he was going?”
Claire thought.
“Your father.”
“Who else?”
“His driver.”
“Anyone from Ethan's family?”
“Not that we know.”
Mary stared at the floor.
Then she remembered the anonymous message.
Your father may not be alive to tell you the truth.
She looked up.
“Someone knew.”
Claire nodded.
“Yes.”
Mary's phone rang.
Unknown number.
She answered.
“Hello?”
No response.
“Who is this?”
Silence.
Then a distorted voice.
“You should stop asking questions.”
Mary stood.
“Who are you?”
“You're making things worse.”
“What did you do to my father?”
A pause.
“We didn't touch him.”
“Then who did?”
The caller laughed.
“You're looking in the wrong direction.”
The call ended.
Mary stared at the screen.
Claire asked:
“What did they say?”
Mary looked at her.
“They said they didn't hurt my father.”
Claire's expression changed.
“Who are they?”
“I don't know.”
Then Mary's phone received a photograph.
It showed her father's car.
Taken twenty minutes before the crash.
In the background was another vehicle.
Black.
Mary zoomed in.
She recognized the license plate.
Her heart sank.
“Claire.”
“What?”
“That car belongs to Ethan.”
Three hours later, Mary's father's surgery ended.
The doctor emerged.
“He's alive.”
Mary exhaled.
“But?”
“He suffered severe injuries. He's unconscious.”
“Can I see him?”
“For a few minutes.”
Mary entered the room alone.
Her father lay beneath a white blanket.
Machines surrounded him.
He looked smaller than she had ever seen him.
Mary pulled a chair beside the bed.
“You told me you wanted to protect me.”
She stared at him.
“You should have told me the truth.”
He didn't move.
Mary lowered her voice.
“Who is Victoria?”
The monitor continued its steady rhythm.
“Why did Mom warn me about Richard?”
Nothing.
“And why was Ethan's car near you?”
Her father's fingers moved.
Mary froze.
“Dad?”
His eyes remained closed.
His fingers moved again.
Three times.
Mary leaned closer.
“What?”
His lips barely moved.
Mary couldn't hear him.
She bent down.
He whispered one word.
“Basement.”
Then he fell still.
Mary stood.
“What basement?”
No answer.
That evening, Ethan arrived at the hospital.
Mary saw him through the glass doors.
He was wearing a dark suit.
His expression was solemn.
A perfect grieving fiancé.
The cameras outside immediately turned toward him.
Ethan approached the entrance.
“I'm here for Mary.”
A reporter shouted:
“Ethan! Did Mary cancel the wedding because of your alleged affair?”
Ethan lowered his head.
“I don't want to discuss private matters.”
“Did you cheat on her?”
He remained silent.
“Are you still in love with Mary?”
Ethan finally looked at the cameras.
“I will always love her.”
Mary watched from the corridor.
Her jaw tightened.
The reporters ate it up.
Within minutes, the headline changed.
HEARTBROKEN GROOM STILL LOVES MARY
Claire came beside her.
“He's good.”
Mary nodded.
“Very.”
“He's playing the victim.”
“No.”
Mary looked at Ethan.
“He's playing the hero.”
Ethan eventually reached her.
“Mary.”
She didn't answer.
“How is your father?”
“Alive.”
He nodded.
“I'm relieved.”
Mary stared at him.
“Why are you here?”
“To see you.”
“You've seen me.”
“Can we talk?”
“No.”
“Please.”
“No.”
He lowered his voice.
“I know you hate me.”
“I don't hate you.”
That surprised him.
Mary continued:
“Hate requires emotion.”
Ethan looked wounded.
“I made a mistake.”
“You made several.”
“I was confused.”
“You planned it.”
He froze.
“What?”
“The room.”
His expression changed.
“You think I planned—”
“I saw the footage.”
Ethan's eyes flickered.
Mary noticed.
“You're afraid.”
“No.”
“You should be.”
He stepped closer.
“Mary, listen to me.”
She stepped back.
“You wanted me to see Vanessa.”
“No.”
“You wanted me to cancel the wedding.”
“No.”
“Then why did you tell her to stay?”
Ethan went silent.
Mary smiled coldly.
“Exactly.”
He lowered his voice.
“Someone was forcing me.”
“Who?”
Ethan looked around.
“Not here.”
“Who?”
He whispered:
“My father.”
Mary stared at him.
“You're blaming Richard?”
“He controls everything.”
“You're a grown man.”
“You don't understand.”
“Then explain.”
Ethan hesitated.
“Not here.”
Mary turned away.
“Then we're done.”
Ethan grabbed her wrist.
Mary immediately pulled free.
“Don't touch me.”
His face changed.
For one second, the mask disappeared.
Mary saw something underneath.
Anger.
Real anger.
Then it was gone.
He stepped back.
“I'm sorry.”
Mary stared at him.
“No.”
She shook her head.
“You're not.”
The following morning, the scandal exploded.
A leaked contract appeared online.
The forged document.
The one containing Mary's signature.
The media immediately accused her.
MARY CARTER'S SECRET ASSET DEAL EXPOSED
DID THE BRIDE ATTEMPT TO STEAL FROM HER OWN FAMILY?
FAMILY EMPIRE IN CRISIS
Claire rushed into the hospital room.
“Mary.”
Mary looked up.
“I saw.”
“It's everywhere.”
“Who leaked it?”
“We're tracing it.”
Mary stood.
“The signature.”
“Yes.”
“Was the forensic report attached?”
“No.”
“Then they released only the part that makes me look guilty.”
Claire nodded.
“They want public opinion against you before the legal battle.”
Mary walked to the window.
Outside, reporters were gathering.
“Then let them.”
Claire looked at her.
“What?”
Mary turned.
“Let them believe it.”
“Mary—”
“I want them comfortable.”
Claire frowned.
“Why?”
“Because people make mistakes when they think they're winning.”
At noon, Mary held a press conference.
The room was packed.
Cameras.
Journalists.
Financial analysts.
Lawyers.
Everyone wanted blood.
Mary stepped onto the stage.
The room erupted.
“Ms. Carter, did you forge the shareholder agreement?”
“Did you steal from Ethan?”
“Did you cancel the wedding because Ethan refused to give you control?”
“Is Vanessa telling the truth?”
Mary waited.
Then she said:
“I have one statement.”
The room quieted.
“The document currently circulating online is fraudulent.”
Questions exploded.
Mary raised her hand.
“My legal team has submitted the original records for forensic examination.”
She paused.
“And the signature on the leaked document is not mine.”
A reporter shouted:
“Then why does it look identical?”
Mary looked directly at the camera.
“Because someone spent a great deal of money trying to make it look like mine.”
The room fell silent.
Mary continued:
“I will not discuss my private relationship with Ethan Carter.”
Another reporter shouted:
“But he says he still loves you!”
Mary's expression didn't change.
“This is no longer about love.”
She placed a folder on the podium.
“This is about fraud.”
Then she walked away.
The strategy worked.
For three hours.
Then everything collapsed.
At four fifteen, a video was released.
It showed Mary entering Ethan's office two weeks before the wedding.
The footage had been edited.
In the edited version, Mary appeared to threaten Ethan.
Her voice had been manipulated to sound as though she was demanding control over his company.
The internet exploded.
MARY CARTER EXPOSED
SHE WAS THE ONE MANIPULATING HIM
ETHAN CARTER WAS THE REAL VICTIM
Claire stormed into Mary's office.
“They've altered the footage.”
Mary watched the video.
“I know.”
“We need to respond.”
“No.”
“Mary!”
“Wait.”
Claire stared at her.
“What are you waiting for?”
Mary paused the video.
“Look at the reflection.”
Claire leaned closer.
In the glass behind Mary, a second person was visible.
Someone standing outside the room.
A man.
Mary enlarged the image.
Claire's eyes widened.
“That's Richard.”
Mary nodded.
“He was there.”
“And if the full recording exists…”
“We can prove the video was edited.”
Mary stood.
“Find the original.”
That night, Vanessa called.
Mary answered.
“I need to see you.”
“Where?”
“Somewhere private.”
“Why?”
“Because I know who edited the video.”
Mary's expression changed.
“Who?”
Vanessa whispered:
“Richard.”
Mary closed her eyes.
“What else?”
Vanessa hesitated.
“He wasn't alone.”
“Who was with him?”
“I don't know.”
“You do.”
“I saw her once.”
“Who?”
Vanessa's voice trembled.
“Victoria.”
Mary froze.
“That's impossible.”
“I know.”
“Victoria is dead.”
“I thought so too.”
“Where did you see her?”
“At Richard's house.”
“When?”
“Three days ago.”
Mary's heart began pounding.
“Are you sure?”
“Yes.”
“Vanessa…”
“I know what you're going to ask.”
“What?”
“Why didn't I tell you earlier?”
Mary said nothing.
Vanessa whispered:
“Because Victoria saw me.”
A pause.
“And she told me something.”
“What?”
“She said…”
Vanessa's voice broke.
“She said you were the only person who could save her.”
Mary drove to the meeting alone.
She didn't tell Claire.
She didn't tell the police.
She didn't tell Daniel.
She arrived at an abandoned restaurant on the edge of the city.
Vanessa was already waiting.
Mary entered.
“Where is she?”
Vanessa shook her head.
“She isn't here.”
“Then why did you bring me?”
“Because I found this.”
Vanessa handed Mary a small envelope.
Mary opened it.
Inside was a single photograph.
Victoria.
Alive.
Standing outside Richard's house.
Taken three days earlier.
Mary stared at it.
Then she turned the photograph over.
Four words were written on the back.
He knows you're looking.
Suddenly, the lights went out.
Vanessa gasped.
Mary grabbed her arm.
“Stay behind me.”
A sound came from the hallway.
Footsteps.
Slow.
Measured.
Someone was approaching.
Mary's phone vibrated.
One message.
You should have listened.
Then another.
Now the scandal is only the beginning.
The door opened.
A man's silhouette appeared.
Mary couldn't see his face.
But she recognized his voice.
It was Ethan.
“Mary.”
He stepped into the room.
“You really should stop digging.”
Mary stared at him.
“What did you do to Victoria?”
Ethan smiled.
“That's the wrong question.”
He took one step closer.
“The question is…”
He looked directly at her.
“Why does your mother know her?”
Mary's blood ran cold.
And for the first time, she understood that the scandal surrounding her broken wedding had never been the real story.
May you like
It had only been the curtain.
Something much darker had been waiting behind it.
