Chapter 3 - THE MAN INSIDE THE FAMILY
Thomas Bennett had taught Mary how to ride a bicycle.
He had attended every birthday until she turned sixteen.
When Mary’s father suffered a stroke five years earlier, Thomas became the comforting uncle who promised to protect the company until Mary was ready.
He was also vice chairman of Bennett Holdings.
And according to the transfer document, he had been helping Ethan move millions.
Mary stared at his digital signature.
“Could it be forged?”
Olivia shook her head.
“The authentication token came from Thomas’s office.”
Daniel lowered his voice.
“Where is he?”
“At the rehearsal dinner.”
Mary looked at the clock.
Thirty-seven floors below, more than two hundred wedding guests were celebrating a marriage that no longer existed.
Thomas was probably drinking champagne with Mary’s mother.
He might even be giving interviews about the union between the Bennett and Cole families.
Mary pressed the elevator button.
Daniel caught her arm lightly.
“What are you planning?”
“To finish canceling my wedding.”
“And your uncle?”
Mary’s expression hardened.
“I want to see his face before he knows what I know.”
The ballroom became silent when Mary entered alone.
The quartet was still playing.
A giant arrangement of white roses covered the stage.
Behind it, a gold sign displayed two names.
MARY & ETHAN.
Mary’s mother, Eleanor, hurried toward her.
“Where is Ethan?”
Mary took the microphone from the bandleader.
Whispers spread through the ballroom.
Thomas Bennett stood near the bar.
His smile disappeared.
Mary looked across the room at relatives, executives, investors, and friends.
She had spent two years planning this wedding.
It took her less than twenty seconds to destroy it.
“There will be no wedding on Saturday.”
Gasps filled the room.
Eleanor covered her mouth.
Thomas stepped forward.
“Mary, perhaps this should be discussed privately.”
Mary looked at him.
“I agree.”
His shoulders relaxed slightly.
Then Mary continued.
“But first, everyone who traveled here deserves the truth.”
The ballroom became completely still.
“I discovered tonight that Ethan has been having an affair.”
Several guests turned toward one another.
Mary continued before anyone could speak.
“The wedding is canceled.”
She placed the microphone on the stand.
Thomas reached her first.
“What are you doing?”
Mary studied him carefully.
He appeared concerned.
Almost fatherly.
He was an excellent actor.
“Protecting the family.”
His eyes narrowed.
“You’re emotional.”
“No.”
“You just discovered your fiancé cheating.”
“Yes.”
“You should wait before making business decisions.”
Mary held his gaze.
“I haven’t made any business decisions.”
Thomas relaxed.
Mary leaned closer.
“Yet.”
For half a second, something cold appeared behind his eyes.
Then it vanished.
Eleanor reached them.
“What happened?”
Mary hugged her mother.
“I’ll explain everything tomorrow.”
Thomas stepped away.
Mary watched him immediately take out his phone.
One message.
Then another.
Olivia, standing near the ballroom entrance, checked her tablet.
Her eyes widened.
She walked toward Mary.
“Thomas just requested emergency access to the corporate server.”
Mary looked across the room.
Her uncle was heading for the exit.
“Deny it.”
“I already did.”
Thomas stopped when his phone displayed the rejection.
Then he turned.
His eyes found Mary across two hundred guests.
No smile this time.
No loving uncle.
Only calculation.
Mary realized Ethan had been right about one thing.
May you like
Opening those records was going to hurt people.
She had simply misunderstood which people he meant.
