Chapter 13 - Stopping the Music
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A hush fell over Hawthorne Hall. The ambient chatter collapsed into complete, suffocating silence.
Daniel stood frozen in the center aisle, his face pale under the chandeliers. Vanessa rushed to his side, grabbing his arm, her mouth open in shock as she realized she had completely lost control of the room.
Elena looked up at me from her table, her hands clasped tightly in her lap, sensing the shift in the air.
“Good evening, everyone,” I began, my voice calm, steady, and commanding. “I know you are all eager to get to the cake cutting, but as the owner of Hawthorne Hall, I believe it is my duty to address a few matters before the night concludes.”
Whispers instantly broke out across the guest tables.
“Owner of Hawthorne Hall?”
“I thought Daniel rented this place from a friend!”
“What is he talking about?”
Vanessa’s head snapped toward Daniel, her grip on his arm turning vicious. “What does he mean, owner? You told me this was your friend’s estate!”
Daniel couldn't answer. His throat was completely dry.
“When my son announced his engagement to Vanessa,” I continued into the microphone, “I had hoped tonight would be a celebration of love, honor, and family unity. Instead, I spent the early hours of this evening watching my son stand guard at a door while his bride poured industrial glue onto the chair reserved for his own mother.”
Gasps erupted from the front tables.
Elena’s eyes widened in sheer horror. She looked toward the head table, then back at me, the blood draining completely from her face.
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“Robert... no...” Elena whispered softly.
“Yes, Elena,” I said, looking directly at my wife. “The glue that tore Vanessa’s gown earlier was never meant for her. It was meant for you. They wanted you to tear your clothes and be humiliated in front of two hundred people for their personal entertainment.”
