Chapter 17 - The Paper Weapon
Grant stepped down from the altar, his face flushed with anger and embarrassment. He looked around at the murmuring crowd, desperate to maintain control of his perfect day. Celeste gripped his arm, her eyes darting nervously toward Daniel.
“Eleanor, what is the meaning of this?” Grant hissed, keeping his voice low. “Leave right now, before I have security physically remove you from the premises.”
“You don't employ the security here, Grant,” I reminded him smoothly. “I do.”
I pulled a single, sealed white envelope from my blazer pocket and held it out to him.
“Read it,” I commanded. “Before you sign that marriage certificate.”
Grant hesitated, his eyes narrowing. He snatched the envelope from my hand, tearing it open with aggressive, annoyed motions. He pulled out the single sheet of paper inside.
It was the prenatal paternity report.
I watched as his eyes scanned the document. I watched the exact moment his brain processed the medical terminology. I watched the color rapidly drain from his arrogant face, leaving him pale and wide-eyed. He read Marcus’s name. He looked at the 99.99% probability line.
His hands began to shake. He slowly turned his head to look at Celeste, who was now clutching her bouquet so tightly her knuckles were white.
“What… what is this?” Grant choked out, his voice cracking.
“A laboratory result,” I said clearly, ensuring the front rows could hear every word. “Your promised son, your great heir to the legacy, belongs to someone else.”
Celeste lunged forward, tearing the paper from Grant’s trembling hands. She looked at the clinic logo, her face twisting in panic. “It’s fake! Grant, she fabricated this! She’s jealous and crazy!”
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From the back of the ballroom, a man stood up.
Marcus Reed walked slowly down the aisle. “No, Celeste,” Marcus said, his voice heavy with betrayal. “You ordered the test. I paid for it.”
