Chapter 3 - The Uninvited Guests
Maddie stood up slowly from her decorated chair.
Her heavy silk wedding dress dragged dramatically across the polished wooden floor.
"Who are you and what are you doing here?"
The tall man completely ignored her and walked straight toward her terrified father.
Frank stumbled backward awkwardly until he hit the edge of the head table.
"I already told you that I do not have the money yet," Frank stammered in fear.
Maddie looked at her father in pure, unadulterated shock.
"Dad, what on earth is this man talking about?"
The second man pulled a folded, wrinkled piece of paper from his leather jacket.
"Your missing future husband owes our boss a lot of cash."
"Tyler promised he would finally pay us back today," the tall man added with a sneer.
"He specifically said the bride's father was funding a very expensive wedding."
Frank buried his wrinkled face inside his scarred hands.
"Tyler convinced me to co-sign a massive loan for his new business venture."
"He swore to me it was the absolute only way he could afford to marry you properly."
Maddie felt the massive ballroom spinning violently around her.
Tyler had not just stolen the wedding gifts and run away with her sister.
He had secretly mortgaged her father's entire life and retirement.
"Exactly how much money does he owe your boss?" Maddie asked, her voice shaking.
The tall man smiled cruelly, showing a frightening row of silver-capped teeth.
"Two hundred thousand dollars."
Maddie gripped the edge of the table so hard her knuckles turned entirely white.
Eli reappeared from the swinging kitchen doors carrying a pristine plate of mixed greens.
He set the salad down gently in front of Maddie's empty chair.
"Gentlemen, this is a private catered event," Eli said with absolute calmness.
The tall man laughed loudly and pulled a heavy steel wrench from his jacket pocket.
"Go back to the kitchen and wash dishes, waiter."
Eli unbuttoned his black vest with slow, calculated deliberation.
"I really hate it when rude people interrupt a good dinner."
Eli stepped smoothly between the two massive thugs and Maddie's helpless father.
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The second man lunged forward aggressively with his heavy fists raised high.
Eli caught the man's arm effortlessly and twisted it backward until a loud snap echoed through the room.
