Chapter 2 - The Bride’s Calculation
"Lock the doors!" Julian roared, his polished facade entirely obliterated. "Nobody leaves this room! Confiscate all phones!"
His private security team—mercenaries dressed in formal wear—moved immediately, securing the exits and shoving panicked socialites back into the center of the room. The grand salon transformed instantly from a sanctuary of wealth into a gilded hostage situation.
Julian lunged for Isabel, but before he could reach her, Genevieve stepped between them.
"Don't make a scene, Julian," Genevieve snapped, her voice low and dangerous. The blushing bride routine evaporated.
Julian glared at his new wife. "Genevieve, move. She’s trying to destroy us."
"She’s trying to destroy you," Genevieve corrected, her mind working at a million miles a minute. Genevieve had married Julian for his wealth to save her own family's bankrupt real estate empire. She had no intention of going down on a sinking ship.
Isabel watched the bride with a guarded expression. "He’s a murderer, Genevieve. If you stay with him, you’ll be an accessory."
"I have dead-man switches set up across Europe, Julian," Isabel continued, holding up her phone. "If I don't leave this manor alive, the unredacted ledgers of your illegal weapons smuggling through my shipping routes go directly to Interpol."
Julian’s face turned purple. "You’re bluffing."
"Are you willing to bet your empire on it?" Isabel challenged.
Genevieve turned to Julian, her eyes cold. "Julian, go to the study. Call your lawyers. Secure the offshore accounts before the SEC freezes them. I will handle her."
May you like
Julian hesitated, looking at the furious crowd and his supposedly dead wife. He realized Genevieve was right; he needed to mitigate the financial damage immediately. He nodded sharply to his lead guard. "Watch them both."
Julian stormed out through the private side door. Genevieve turned to Isabel, grabbing her by the wrist. "With me. Now."
