The call went straight to voicemail, causing Clara's heart to sink into absolute despair.
Margarethe let out a sharp, mocking laugh that echoed across the decorated wedding lawn.
Margarethe: Your father cannot save you from the legal contract you signed, darling.
Clara: He is going to expose every single thing you have done to us!
Julian: Clara, just come inside the house so we can talk about this privately.
Clara: Do not touch me or come anywhere near me ever again, Julian!
She squeezed her phone tightly and hit the speed dial button once more.
Suddenly, the heavy double doors of the main estate house swung wide open.
A tall man in a tailored dark grey suit stepped out onto the wide porch.
He held a sleek silver smartphone in his hand as he walked down the stairs.
It was Arthur Vance, the founder of the multi-million dollar logistics empire.
Clara turned her head quickly and stared at her father with wide, emotional eyes.
Arthur walked past the shocked wedding guests with a powerful and determined stride.
He looked at the crimson stain on Clara's gown and his jaw tightened instantly.
Arthur: What is going on out here on my property right now?
Margarethe: Arthur, this is a private family matter regarding my son's wedding contract.
Arthur: You seem to forget who actually owns this entire lakefront property, Margarethe.
Julian's face drained of all color as Arthur stood directly beside his pregnant daughter.
Arthur wrapped a warm arm around Clara's shoulders to hold her securely in place.
Clara: Dad, they tricked me into signing a fraudulent prenuptial agreement last week.
Arthur: Nobody tricks my daughter and gets away with it in this town.
Arthur pulled a leather folder from inside his jacket and opened it slowly.
Margarethe stepped back slightly as she recognized the official state seal on the paper.
The atmosphere on the lawn shifted instantly from tension into sudden fear.
Julian took a step backward while staring at Arthur's stern and angry face.
A massive secret was about to be revealed in front of every single guest.