Chapter 3 - The Exodus
The chapel erupted into absolute chaos.
For the high-society elite, there is nothing more terrifying than the acronyms SEC and FBI. The illusion of the untouchable Sterling family had just been shattered, replaced by the immediate, radioactive threat of federal subpoenas.
Senator Vance, sitting in the third row, didn't even wait for me to finish. He grabbed his wife’s arm and sprinted down the side aisle toward the exit. Three banking executives immediately followed, pulling out their phones and shouting at their brokers to dump Sterling stock before the market opened on Monday.
"You lying little rat!" Victoria shrieked, losing every ounce of her refined aristocratic grace. She tried to rush the altar, her manicured claws outstretched.
Chloe, my sister and bridesmaid, stuck her foot out. Victoria tripped, sprawling ungracefully onto the white carpet, tearing her expensive emerald pantsuit.
Julian was hyperventilating. "Elena, please! We can fix this. I love you! I’ll give you whatever you want!"
I looked down at the man I had once thought was my fairy-tale prince. I saw him for what he truly was: a weak, cowardly parasite who hid behind his mother’s money.
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"I already took what I wanted, Julian," I said coldly. "My freedom. And your future."
I stepped down from the pulpit. I linked my arm through my father’s, grabbed Chloe’s hand, and the three of us walked back down the aisle. We left the chapel as the remaining guests scrambled over each other to escape the sinking ship of the Sterling legacy.
