Chapter 14 - The Last Choice.
At 12:06 a.m., the deleted footage arrived in Victor's email from an anonymous address.
The subject line contained only two words.
WATCH EVERYTHING.
Marcus connected Victor's laptop to a ballroom screen.
Police had asked most guests to remain until statements could be collected, so nearly everyone was still there when the video began.
Claire wanted to leave.
Then she decided she was done disappearing for other people's comfort.
She stood beside Victor.
The footage showed the bridal suite from a hidden angle above the mirror.
Celeste locked the door.
Claire confronted her about the transfer.
Celeste grabbed her.
The first shove was visible.
So was the second.
The silver hairbrush came down across Claire's back.
Adrian made a broken sound and looked away.
Claire did not.
The video continued.
After Claire left, Celeste remained in the suite.
Owen entered two minutes later.
"Did she give you the original?"
"No."
"Then we need to find it."
Celeste sat at the vanity and fixed her lipstick.
"Search her after the ceremony."
"And if she talks to Victor first?"
Celeste looked at herself in the mirror.
"Then make it look like she fell."
The ballroom erupted.
Victor's face became rigid with fury.
Claire's legs nearly gave way.
This was no longer about bruises.
It was no longer even about fraud.
The threat had been real.
The video continued.
Samuel entered next.
"This is getting out of control."
Celeste laughed.
"Control is the only thing going right."
Samuel lowered his voice.
"If Victor learns about the Northridge fees, we're all exposed."
"Then Victor doesn't learn until Monday."
"And Claire?"
"Owen handles Claire."
The recording ended.
No one spoke for several seconds.
Then a police detective approached Celeste.
"Ms. Arden, you're being detained pending investigation into assault, conspiracy, fraud, and witness intimidation."
Celeste stared at Claire.
"You planned this."
Claire almost laughed.
"You planned it."
"You wore that dress on purpose."
The accusation surprised everyone.
Claire touched the emerald fabric at her waist.
Celeste's eyes burned.
"You knew the bruises would show."
Claire said nothing.
Victor looked at his daughter.
"Is that true?"
Claire finally nodded.
"After Adrian refused to stop the wedding, I went back to my room."
She looked at her brother.
"I had another dress."
Adrian's eyes filled again.
"One that covered my back."
Claire's voice remained steady.
"I almost wore it."
She looked across the guests.
"Then I realized covering the bruises would mean helping her hide what she did."
Celeste shook her head.
"You wanted to humiliate me."
"No."
Claire looked directly at her.
"I wanted you to have one room you couldn't control."
The detective led Celeste toward the doors.
She stopped beside Adrian.
"Tell them."
He looked at her.
"Tell them what?"
"That you knew about the transfers."
Adrian went still.
Celeste smiled.
"Tell them you signed the proxy."
"I will."
Her smile vanished.
"What?"
Adrian stood.
"I'll tell them everything."
"You'll destroy yourself."
"Maybe."
He looked at Claire.
"But I'm done destroying everyone else to save myself."
Celeste stared at him for a long moment.
Then she was taken away.
Adrian turned to Victor.
"Dad, I need an attorney."
Victor's expression was unreadable.
"Yes."
Adrian swallowed.
"Will you help me?"
Victor looked toward Claire.
Then back at his son.
"I'll help you tell the truth."
Adrian nodded slowly.
May you like
It was not forgiveness.
For the first time that night, he understood the difference.
