Chapter 1 - THE TOWER FALLS
The silence in the grand ballroom was absolute.
Not a single guest dared to breathe.
The Groom, Julian, stood frozen in place, his face turning pale.
His mother, who had just dragged the Bride across the floor, let go as if burnt.
The heavy golden double doors slammed against the marble walls with a deafening thud.
Standing in the doorway was Arthur Vance, the untouchable titan of international finance.
Behind him stood two dozen suited men with cold, ruthless eyes.
Julian’s heart sank into his stomach.
He recognized the face instantly from business journals and global news.
Arthur Vance walked into the hall, the rhythmic click of his gold-headed cane echoing off the high ceilings.
His eyes scanned the room until they landed on his daughter lying on the floor.
Her white gown was torn and stained with blood.
A terrible, suffocating pressure filled the room.
"Who touched her?" Arthur spoke, his voice low and smooth as steel.
Julian tried to step forward, forcing a trembling smile onto his face.
"Mr. Vance... this is a misunderstanding," Julian stammered, sweat dripping down his temple.
Arthur didn't even look at him.
He walked past Julian as if he were invisible.
Arthur knelt down on the cold floor in front of his daughter, Victoria.
He gently lifted her chin, taking in the severe bruises on her cheek.
"My precious star," Arthur whispered, his voice trembling with hidden rage.
"Is this the life you left me for?"
Victoria looked up at her father, her dark eyes flashing with unyielding fire.
"I was blind, Dad," she whispered through blood-stained lips.
"They made me suffer for three years while I pretended to be poor."
"They took everything from me," she said.
"They threw me to the ground."
Arthur slowly pulled a silk handkerchief from his pocket and wiped the blood from her lip.
"Then today, they will lose everything they have ever owned," Arthur declared.
He stood up and turned to face the crowd.
The entire Vance security force immediately stepped forward, surrounding the panicked guests.
Julian’s mother fell to her knees, suddenly realizing the terrifying reality of what she had done.
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The Rival Bride, Sophia, tried to slip away into the crowd.
"Stop right there," Arthur's icy voice cut through the air like a blade.
