Chapter 1 – The Signature That Never Happened
Grace stared at the legal papers lying in the ruined wedding cake while every guest watched in complete silence.
Vanessa folded her arms.
"Go ahead," she said calmly. "It's only a formality. Grandma wanted the orchard kept in the family."
Grace slowly looked up.
"I am the family."
Vanessa's smile barely moved.
"Not after today."
Mason stepped forward, removing a silver fountain pen from his jacket.
"The transfer is perfectly legal," he said. "Sign it, and everyone goes home peacefully."
Grace didn't touch the pen.
Instead, she picked up the folder.
Page after page carried forged signatures, fake financial statements, and property transfers that had supposedly been prepared months before the wedding.
Her eyes stopped on one document.
Marriage Asset Agreement
Prepared six weeks earlier.
Her wedding had been only planned four weeks ago.
She quietly looked at Noah.
"You knew."
His shoulders sagged.
"I didn't know every detail."
"But you knew enough."
He couldn't answer.
Grace slowly closed the folder.
"I won't sign."
Vanessa sighed dramatically.
"You always make everything difficult."
At that moment another voice echoed from the entrance.
"Actually..."
Everyone turned.
Grace's father stood in the doorway.
Beside him was her mother.
Behind them came Brooke.
Not smiling.
Crying.
And following behind them...
May you like
Two detectives carrying official evidence boxes.
Vanessa's confident expression cracked for the first time.
