Chapter 4 - The Rehearsal Dinner TrapBy Friday evening, the atmosphere inside the Grand Geneva estate was electric with anticipation. The rehearsal dinner was being held in the grand ballroom, decorated with white orchids, hundreds of flickering candles, and a floating string quartet. Eighty prominent guests sat around a massive U-shaped table covered in silk linens.
June sat at the center of the table beside Daniel, wearing an ivory designer jumpsuit. All evening, she kept glancing at her phone, waiting for a message.
At 7:45 PM, her phone vibrated. A text from Chloe appeared on the screen: Check your email. You were right. He's a ghost... until you look at police records from three years ago. Sending files now.
June opened the attachment, her eyes flying across the documents. A dark, triumphant smile slowly spread across her face.
She stood up, tapping her silver spoon against her crystal champagne glass.
The sharp pinging sound resonated through the ballroom. The string quartet faded to a stop, and the room fell silent as guests turned their attention toward the bride.
"Thank you, everyone," June began, her voice brimming with theatrical warmth. "We are so grateful to have our family, friends, and distinguished guests here tonight to celebrate our union."
Frank Bennett smiled warmly from his seat, while April, sitting beside Peter near the middle of the table, gave a polite nod.
"As many of you know," June continued, her gaze locking onto April with predatory precision, "family is everything to me. And my sister, April, has always been the pillar of our family—hardworking, dedicated, and fiercely protective. So when she arrived this weekend with a mysterious new partner, I wanted to make sure he was treated with the honor he deserves."
April felt a sudden, cold knot twist in her stomach. She reached beneath the table and felt Peter's hand. His grip was calm and steady.
"Peter Hale," June said loudly, walking around the table with her phone in her hand. "A man of research, a man of quiet brilliance. But you know, Peter... I couldn't help but wonder why a man as impressive as you doesn't appear in any business directories, corporate rosters, or alumni records."
"June, what are you doing?" Frank Bennett warned, his voice deep and stern as he began to stand up.
"Dad, please. I am simply protecting our family!" June declared, turning to face the entire room. "Because two hours ago, my legal team confirmed who Peter Hale really is."
Gasps rippled through the room.
"Peter Hale is not a researcher," June announced, her voice echoing off the high ceilings. "He has no address. He has no bank account. For the last two years, he has been living on the streets of downtown Chicago, sleeping on benches outside Wabash Avenue!"
A sudden, deafening silence fell over the ballroom. Guests exchanged shocked glances. Daniel buried his face in his hands, whispering, "June, stop this..."
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"And that's not all," June continued, escalating her attack. "Three years ago, he was investigated for financial fraud and corporate theft before disappearing entirely! My sister didn't bring a distinguished guest to my wedding—she hired a homeless vagrant from off the street to lie to all of us!"
June pointed a sharp finger at hotel security guards standing near the doors. "Security, please remove this impostor from the property immediately."
