The sight of his father hooked up to life-support machines in the hospital flashed through Marcus's mind like a nightmare. For three days, the doctors had been confused, calling it an unexpected sudden heart failure. The police had found no evidence of foul play in the house because someone had cleared the room fast. Marcus had spent sleepless nights by his father's bedside, praying for a miracle while planning this forced wedding. His father's will clearly stated that Marcus had to marry into Evelyn's family to secure his full trust fund and corporate leadership. He had trusted Evelyn completely, believing she was his savior during this terrible family tragedy.
Now, watching the tiny video clip on his wrist, the awful truth hit him like a physical blow. Evelyn was not his savior; she was the monster who had put his father in a coma. His hands shook so badly that the watch screen almost went dark, but he tapped it again quickly. Evelyn saw the look on his face and panicked, her red velvet gown rustling loudly as she jumped out of her chair. She reached out with her sharp manicured nails, trying to scratch the watch right off his arm to destroy it. Marcus stepped back sharply, pushing her hands away with a cold look of absolute disgust.
Woman in Red: Marcus, don't look at that fake trash! She made it up with AI!
Evelyn screamed, her voice losing all its high-class sophistication and turning into a sharp screech. The guests sat in shock, many of them pulling out their own phones to record the sudden breakdown of the bride. Hannah stepped closer to Marcus, her bruised forehead catching the bright daylight coming through the high window. She knew that the video clip was short, but it was not the whole story yet. There was a second part to the video that showed who else was involved in the dark plot against his family.
Waitress: Watch five more seconds and see who handed her that glass!
Hannah urged him with a firm, strong tone that cut right through Evelyn's desperate screaming. Marcus wiped the tears from his cheeks with the back of his sleeve and looked back down at the watch. The video on the small screen continued playing past the ten-second mark in crisp, clear detail. The camera angle was perfect, showing the entire back hallway near the venue's office. A man stepped into the frame, handing the small vial directly to Evelyn before nodding with a dark grin. Marcus felt his breath catch in his throat as he recognized the second face in the clear video clip.
It was his own stepfather, Arthur, the man who managed the family's financial estate and insurance policies. Arthur had been standing right behind Marcus all morning, giving him speeches about family duty and respect. Marcus turned his head slowly to look at Arthur, who was standing near the head table holding a champagne bottle. Arthur's face turned completely gray as he saw Marcus looking right at him with deep hatred. The web of lies that had taken months to build was falling apart in just a few seconds under the bright daylight.