The reception hall was a vision of elegance, draped in ivory and gold. Guests mingled, murmuring about the earlier incident but quickly distracted by the flow of champagne and the clinking of glasses. Rachel, oblivious to the drama, was radiant on the dance floor with her new husband, a vision of happiness.
Natalie, meanwhile, was far from the festivities, but she was not idle. She had a plan, one she had conceived in those few moments while still in shock from her father’s betrayal. Her heart ached with a mixture of hurt and resolve, churning together into a fierce determination. She was going to ensure that this injustice didn’t go unnoticed.
First, she sent a few discreet text messages. Her childhood friend, Matt, was an up-and-coming journalist always on the hunt for a story. This one, he assured her, was too juicy to pass up. Within minutes, he was on his way.
