Tyler Sterling walked down the grand staircase wearing a sharp custom navy blue suit.
He was the sole heir to the massive fortune left behind by his late father.
His wedding was scheduled for the next afternoon at the central city cathedral.
Yet his heart felt heavy as he walked toward the bright dining room.
He had spent months watching his stepmother spend millions of dollars from the family trust fund.
Tyler stopped near the heavy wooden doors when his phone vibrated in his jacket pocket.
He pulled out the device and looked down at an anonymous text message screen.
The message contained a single high definition video file sent from an untraceable number.
Tyler clicked play and watched the clear footage with growing shock and disbelief.
The video showed Victoria standing alone in the kitchen early that same morning.
She was tilting a clear glass bottle over a custom crystal glass intended for Tyler.
A thick clear liquid dripped slowly into the orange juice right before the rehearsal.
Tyler felt his pulse race as he recognized the dangerous substance on the screen.
It was a rare chemical designed to cause severe illness and permanent mental incapacitation.
If he consumed the liquid, Victoria would gain full control over the entire estate trust.
Tyler stared at the phone screen as his jaw clenched with deep absolute fury.
He kept his footfalls quiet as he stepped through the open dining hall entrance.
Victoria was sitting at the head table while admiring her own diamond ring.
She looked up and smiled sweetly as if nothing wrong had ever happened today.
Victoria: Good morning, Tyler, come sit down and enjoy your fresh morning juice.
Tyler: Where is Elena? I thought she was serving breakfast this morning.
Victoria: I had to let her go because she was extremely clumsy and rude.
Tyler: Is that really the reason you sent her away so quickly, Victoria?
Victoria: Of course, darling, she almost spilled liquid all over my designer dress.
Tyler stepped closer to the head table while keeping his phone hidden in hand.
He picked up the glass of orange juice that Victoria had carefully placed down.
The bright liquid swirled inside the expensive lead crystal glass under the sunlight.
Victoria watched his movement with eager eyes while trying to hide her quick breathing.
Victoria: Drink up, Tyler, you have a very busy schedule ahead of you today.
Tyler: What is this, Victoria?
Victoria: It is just fresh juice, dear, why are you asking me like that?
Tyler turned his phone around and pushed the screen directly toward her face.
The video played on a continuous loop showing her pouring the bottle into his glass.
Victoria's face turned completely white as her confident smile vanished instantly into air.
She stumbled back a step as the shock hit her like a wave.
The truth was out in the open and there was no way to hide it.