CHAPTER 2: THE PHONE CALL
The smile never left Vanessa's face.
She expected me to cry.
She expected me to run to the restroom and hide while everyone whispered about the pathetic second wife who had finally been put in her place.
Instead, I reached into my purse.
My fingers wrapped around my phone.
I dialed a number I had memorized years ago.
"Good evening, Mrs. Eleanor Whitmore," the voice answered immediately.
"I need you to activate Clause Seventeen of the Harper Family Trust."
There was a brief pause.
"Are you certain?"
"I am."
"I'll notify the bank immediately."
"Thank you."
I ended the call.
That was all.
No threats.
No speeches.
No tears.
Vanessa laughed.
"Calling your therapist?"
The guests chuckled.
Celeste crossed her arms with satisfaction.
"I told you she'd make a scene."
I simply picked up a napkin and wiped the wine from my face.
Exactly thirty seconds later...
A young man in a tuxedo hurried across the ballroom.
He whispered something into the wedding planner's ear.
Her expression changed instantly.
She looked toward Vanessa.
Then toward me.
Then back at her clipboard.
Another minute passed.
The groom, Daniel, frowned as his phone vibrated.
He glanced at the screen.
His smile disappeared.
"What?" Vanessa whispered.
Daniel didn't answer.
He stared at his banking app.
"The payment..."
"What payment?"
"The hotel deposit..."
"What about it?"
"It was declined."
Vanessa laughed nervously.
"Use another card."
"I did."
He showed her the screen.
Transaction Declined.
She pulled out her own designer wallet.
One platinum card.
Declined.
Another.
Declined.
Another.
Declined.
The ballroom became eerily quiet.
The wedding planner stepped closer.
"I'm terribly sorry, but unless payment is completed within the hour, hotel policy requires us to suspend the reception."
"What are you talking about?" Vanessa snapped.
"I have unlimited credit."
The planner hesitated.
"The bank informed us every account connected to the Harper Trust has been temporarily frozen."
Vanessa slowly turned toward me.
May you like
For the first time all evening...
She looked afraid.
