The cold morning air felt tense inside the large marble room as everyone stood frozen.
Clara stepped closer to Julian and grabbed his dark arm with her fingernails.
She wanted answers right now about why this strange woman was weeping before them.
Julian stared straight down at his polished shoes without making any clear eye contact.
His posture had completely changed from confident groom to a very nervous young man.
Sarah took out her silver reading glasses to look closely at Chloe's pale face.
She noticed something familiar about the young girl's eyes and curved jawline instantly.
Sarah: Who is the father on that phone line right now?
Chloe: My father is Arthur Vance, the owner of the local bank.
Clara: That name is completely impossible because Arthur died three years ago.
Chloe: He is very much alive and living in the next state.
Julian: Chloe, please do not talk about family business in front of them.
Clara turned her whole body toward Julian with her mouth wide open in disbelief.
The name Arthur Vance was legendary across the entire local business city district.
He had owned the large regional trust company that funded Julian's startup firm.
If Arthur was still living, then Julian's entire financial foundation was built on lies.
Sarah stepped between the young couple with her light blue suit shoulders straight.
Sarah: Julian, did you take money from this girl's family estate?
Julian: It was a business investment loan that we agreed upon earlier.
Chloe: You promised to take care of his estate and his daughter!
Chloe: Instead you took the trust money and disappeared into this city!
Clara: Is this where your luxury mansion money actually came from?
Julian took a step back toward the grand wooden staircase behind him slowly.
He wiped a bead of sweat from his forehead with his black tuxedo sleeve.
The glossy wedding look was now completely ruined by his visible trembling hands.
Chloe held her purple phone higher so the speaker voice reached every corner.
A strong voice came through the small phone speaker clear and very loud.
Arthur: Put Julian on the line right now so I can speak.
Julian: Arthur, we can settle all financial matters after this weekend.
Arthur: There will be no wedding until my lawyer sees that money.
Clara: What money is he talking about right now, Julian?
Sarah: Answer her right now before this ceremony goes any further.
Julian looked around the bright white room like a trapped animal in a cage.
The front door opened again as two men in dark business suits stepped inside.