Chapter 1
PART 2: The Deed on the Wall
Chloe’s smile lasted exactly until every ballroom door locked with a soft electronic click.
Four hotel security officers entered the space, followed immediately by the general manager and a woman in a charcoal suit carrying a digital tablet. Eleanor straightened up, assuming the staff had arrived to obey her commands.
“Excellent,” Eleanor said. “Detain that woman.”
The general manager entirely ignored her and walked directly to me. “Mrs. Sterling, are you injured?”
The entire room stirred. Chloe blinked in confusion. “Her name is Vance.”
“My married name,” I said clearly. “Sterling is the name on the property deed.”
The woman with the tablet introduced herself as Fiona Vance, chief counsel for Sterling Hospitality. She placed her coat around my shoulders, then turned to face the stunned crowd.
“This ballroom, the bridal suite, and all public corridors are actively monitored. No one leaves this venue until we preserve evidence concerning an alleged theft and a physical assault on a pregnant guest.”
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“Assault?” Eleanor scoffed. “We searched family.”
“You tore her clothing without her consent,” Fiona replied smoothly. “In front of hundreds of witnesses and high-definition cameras.”...
