Chapter 6 - THE WOMAN BEHIND THE VEIL
Daniel pulled Olivia away from the door.
His fingers closed around the small device beneath her lace.
“What is this?”
Olivia slapped his hand away.
“Don’t touch my dress.”
“You’re recording us.”
Emma stepped back in disbelief.
Olivia remained calm.
“It’s for my protection.”
“From your husband?”
“From anyone who might threaten me.”
Daniel removed the device before she could stop him.
The red light continued blinking.
Noah entered through the side door.
Olivia’s expression darkened.
“You seem to appear everywhere.”
“It’s part of my charm,” Noah replied.
Daniel handed him the recorder.
“Take this somewhere secure.”
Olivia blocked his path.
“That belongs to me.”
Noah looked at Daniel.
Daniel nodded once.
Noah slipped the recorder into his pocket.
“If you try to leave this estate with it, I’ll call security,” Olivia warned.
Noah smiled.
“Whose security?”
The answer appeared almost immediately.
Two men in black suits entered the room.
Daniel recognized them as members of Senator Mercer’s private protection team.
The first man closed the door.
The second stood beside Noah.
Olivia folded her arms.
“My father anticipated that you might become emotional.”
Daniel looked at the guards.
“This is my family’s estate.”
“Not anymore.”
Olivia raised her hand, displaying the wedding band.
“Under the emergency marital agreement you signed yesterday, I have temporary authority over shared property during any documented psychological crisis.”
Daniel stared at her.
“I never signed such an agreement.”
“You signed twelve pages at the rehearsal dinner.”
“They were vendor authorizations.”
“Most of them were.”
The guards moved closer.
Noah’s hand shifted toward the inside of his jacket.
Daniel shook his head.
A fight would give Olivia exactly what she wanted.
She needed witnesses who could describe Daniel as violent and unstable.
He suddenly understood why she had been recording.
Every provocation was designed to create evidence.
Olivia stepped near him.
“Smile for the guests.”
Daniel looked directly into her eyes.
“What did you put in the champagne?”
For the first time, she hesitated.
It lasted less than a second.
But Daniel saw it.
Emma did too.
Olivia recovered quickly.
“You’re becoming paranoid.”
She looked at the guards.
“Please escort my husband to the reception.”
Daniel allowed them to guide him toward the door.
As he passed Noah, he spoke quietly.
“Check every drink.”
Then he turned to Emma.
“Keep Caleb beside you.”
Olivia smiled for the cameras when they returned outside.
The guests applauded as the newlyweds entered the ballroom.
A waiter offered Daniel a glass of champagne.
Olivia watched him.
Daniel lifted the glass toward his lips.
Then Senator Mercer raised his own glass from across the room.
“To family,” the senator said.
May you like
Daniel stared at the pale golden liquid.
A faint white residue clung to the bottom.
