Chapter 2 - THE THREAT IN THE WHITE DRESS
Daniel studied Olivia’s face, waiting for some sign that she was bluffing.
He found none.
His younger sister, Emma Bennett, was already seated in the front row of the chapel.
She was twenty-six years old, recently divorced, and raising her six-year-old son alone.
Emma had survived a painful marriage and a custody battle that had nearly broken her.
She was also the one person Daniel would sacrifice anything to protect.
“What did you do to Emma?”
Olivia lifted the edge of her veil and stepped closer.
“I didn’t do anything.”
“Then why would she go to prison?”
“Because someone transferred two million dollars from the Bennett Foundation into an offshore account using her credentials.”
Daniel’s heart dropped.
Emma worked as the foundation’s financial coordinator.
She had access to donor records, payment systems, and restricted accounts.
But she would never steal.
“You framed her.”
Olivia gave him a warning look.
“Keep your voice down.”
Daniel glanced toward the chapel entrance.
His best man, Noah Grant, appeared at the end of the hallway.
Noah saw Daniel’s expression and immediately knew something was wrong.
Before he could approach, Olivia wrapped both hands around Daniel’s arm.
To anyone watching, they looked like an emotional couple sharing a private moment.
“If you stop the wedding,” she whispered, “the evidence reaches federal investigators within ten minutes.”
Daniel looked at her hand against his sleeve.
“And if I marry you?”
“The evidence disappears.”
“You expect me to believe that?”
“I expect you to protect your sister.”
The organ music continued.
The wedding coordinator appeared nervously.
“We’re ready for the bride.”
Olivia smiled brightly.
“We’ll be there in a moment.”
The coordinator left.
Daniel looked toward Noah again.
His friend was still watching.
Daniel subtly tapped two fingers against his wrist.
It was an old signal from their years serving together in the Army Reserve.
It meant danger.
Noah gave the smallest possible nod.
Olivia did not notice.
She was too busy believing she had won.
Daniel offered his arm.
Olivia’s smile widened.
“I knew you would make the right decision.”
“This isn’t a decision.”
He leaned close enough that only she could hear him.
“It’s time.”
“For what?”
“To discover how many people are standing behind you.”
The chapel doors opened.
Every guest turned.
Olivia placed her hand on Daniel’s arm and began walking beside him.
Confusion spread across the room because the bride was supposed to enter with her father, not the groom.
Daniel saw Emma in the front row.
She smiled at him, unaware that her freedom had become part of someone else’s plan.
At the altar, Reverend Collins opened his book.
Daniel faced Olivia beneath hundreds of white roses.
She looked radiant.
She also looked terrified.
“Dearly beloved,” the reverend began.
Daniel reached into his jacket.
Olivia’s eyes widened.
May you like
He removed the handwritten note she had sent him that morning.
Then he tore it slowly in half.
