Chapter 4 - THE BRIDE WHO KNEW THE TRUTH
The wedding reception ended early.
Not because I destroyed the champagne tower.
I didn't.
Every glass remained standing.
The damage came from Vanessa herself.
Guests had recorded her insult.
Within hours, videos spread online.
By morning, newspapers were discussing the confrontation.
But I was not interested in becoming a viral spectacle.
I wanted answers.
Adrian called me the following day.
“Can we talk?”
I hesitated.
“About Vanessa?”
“About the crystal.”
We met at a quiet café.
He looked exhausted.
“I'm sorry about last night.”
“You didn't insult me.”
“I should have stopped her sooner.”
I looked down.
He continued.
“I asked Claudia for the records.”
My heart jumped.
“And?”
He placed a folder on the table.
The crystal had been supplied by Bellmont Heritage Collections.
The delivery paperwork listed the pieces as part of a private family collection.
But one document caught my eye.
An internal inventory sheet.
Dated six years earlier.
It listed:
Tre Vite – Lorenzo Bellini – 240 pieces.
I stared.
The collection had been cataloged one year after the fire.
One year after my father had been told it was destroyed.
I looked at Adrian.
“This proves they had it.”
He nodded.
“It's evidence they possessed it by that date. It doesn't establish how they obtained it.”
I appreciated the distinction.
Then I turned another page.
A signature appeared at the bottom.
Vanessa Vale.
My hands went cold.
May you like
She had approved the inventory transfer.
She knew.
