Chapter 11 - The Mother of the Bride.
Patricia was found in the chapel.
She sat alone in the front pew while thunder shook the stained-glass windows.
When Elena entered with Marcus and two security officers, Patricia did not seem surprised.
"You found the drive," she said.
Celeste stood behind them.
"Mom?"
Patricia turned.
For the first time all evening, the elegant woman looked old.
Celeste stepped closer.
"Tell me that isn't you on the video."
Patricia said nothing.
Marcus's voice echoed through the chapel.
"You were there when Sophia's boat was sabotaged."
Patricia folded her hands.
"I was there."
Celeste staggered backward.
"Why?"
Patricia looked at Damian, who was being guarded near the rear doors.
"Because he told me Sophia was about to destroy everything."
Elena felt rage rise in her throat.
"Everything for whom?"
"For my family."
Patricia explained that the Avery family fortune had collapsed years earlier.
Their homes, art, and reputation were maintained with borrowed money.
Damian had quietly covered their debts through shell companies controlled by Hale Meridian.
In return, Patricia introduced him to influential investors and helped him disguise payments as consulting agreements.
Sophia found the transfers.
She threatened to expose them.
"Did you kill her?" Marcus asked.
Patricia's eyes filled with tears.
"No."
Elena stepped forward.
"You watched Damian tamper with her boat."
"He told me he was disabling the navigation system."
"And you thought that was harmless?"
Patricia looked away.
"He said she would be stranded long enough for us to retrieve the records from her office."
Marcus's voice became dangerously quiet.
"She died in that water."
"I know."
Celeste suddenly slapped her mother.
The sound echoed beneath the chapel roof.
Patricia closed her eyes.
Celeste began crying.
"You knew?"
Patricia looked at her daughter.
"I knew after."
"And you still let me marry Marcus?"
"I needed you to."
The sentence destroyed whatever remained between them.
Celeste stared at her mother.
"You needed me to?"
Patricia nodded toward Damian.
"He said the company would protect us once you had voting control."
Celeste shook her head.
"I thought the plan was to remove Elena from the board and transfer money."
Elena watched her.
"You still agreed to that."
Celeste wiped tears from her face.
"Yes."
There was no excuse in her voice.
"I did."
Marcus finally looked at her.
"And Ruby?"
Celeste's face crumpled.
"I wanted her away from the ceremony because she kept talking about seeing me with Damian."
"So you sent her to the pier."
"I told Lila to take her there and scare her into staying quiet."
Marcus looked sick.
"She's five years old."
"I know."
Elena's voice cut through the chapel.
"You also put your bracelet in her pocket."
Celeste nodded once.
"After she fell."
Patricia looked shocked.
Celeste continued.
"I panicked. I thought if everyone believed Ruby had stolen something and run to the edge, it would look like an accident."
Elena stared at her.
"You hit me while I was holding her."
Celeste lowered her eyes.
"I was terrified you would make her talk."
A security officer's radio crackled.
The mainland police launch had reached the outer reef.
Marcus exhaled slowly.
"It's over."
Damian laughed from the back of the chapel.
Everyone turned.
"No," he said.
His expression was calm again.
"It isn't."
May you like
He looked directly at Elena.
"Ask her what's missing from the drive."
