Chapter 1 The absent groom

The blue light from the MacBook screen was the only thing giving color to Kailee Lynn's face. She sat at the vanity of the Presidential Suite in The Plaza, her fingers moving across the keyboard with a speed that contradicted the heavy silence of the room.

Behind her, the lead stylist tugged a section of her hair too hard.

Kailee's head jerked back slightly.

"Oh my god, Ms. Lynn, I am so sorry," the stylist gasped, dropping the comb.

Kailee didn't blink. Her eyes stayed glued to the legal document on her screen-a draft of a non-disclosure agreement so dense it looked like a wall of text.

"Continue," she said. The word was flat.

The suite door suddenly opened.

Chaya walked in, her hand was wrapped around her phone.

The air in the room changed. The makeup artist paused with a brush mid-air, the stylist stopped touching the veil, everyone looked at Chaya.

Kailee stopped typing, swiveled in her chair. Her gaze cut through the room, ignoring the pleasantries.

"Julian isn't here," Kailee said. It wasn't a question.

Chaya swallowed. "His phone goes straight to voicemail. The best man isn't answering, the groomsmen are dark."

The stylist behind Kailee sucked in a breath.

Kailee looked at the clock on the wall.

7:12 PM.

"If this merger doesn't proceed, the SEC's investigation into the family trust accelerates," Kailee said, her voice a low murmur meant only for Chaya. "The asset seizure would begin by market open." She looked at Chaya. "Contact PR. Tell them to prep the contingency statement for a delayed start due to technical difficulties. Do not mention the groom."

Chaya stared at her boss, she nodded.

Kailee stood up, the silk robe she wore slipped down her shoulders. For a second, the heavy concealer on her back was visible-thick, flesh-toned paste covering scars that spoke of a past far removed from art galleries and ballrooms.

A knock at the door.

"Ms. Lynn? The guests are seated, the music loop is ending." It was the wedding planner. Her voice was an octave too high.

Kailee walked to the door and pulled it open.

"The schedule remains," Kailee said. Her voice was ice. "We start on time."

The planner blinked, confused, terrified. "But... the groom..."

"Go."Kailee shut the door.

Chaya grabbed Kailee's arm. "Kailee. If Julian doesn't show up, the family will offer you up as the scapegoat. The board will eat you alive."

Kailee mind raced, cycling through the guest list, through power players and potential leverage points. It wasn't about love or marriage, it was about survival. An idea, cold and terrifyingly logical, began to form.

"Chaya," Kailee said, her voice dropping to a conspiratorial whisper. "Get me the seating chart. I need the Hendricks family's private suite number."

Kailee sat back down in the chair, she pointed to the makeup artist. "Finish the eyes, make them sharper."

The phone in Chaya's hand buzzed again.She looked at the screen, her pupils contracted.

Kailee saw the movement in the mirror. She held out her hand, palm up."Give it to me."

"It's nothing," Chaya lied. "Just spam."

Kailee didn't argue, she reached over, unlocked it with the passcode she knew Chaya used.

It was an Instagram Story.

The background was blurry, low light, but the hand holding the champagne glass had a signet ring. Julian's ring, and in the corner of the frame, draped over a knee, was the hem of a pink lace dress.

Annabelle's favorite brand.

Kailee stared at the image. The corner of her mouth twitched upward. A cold, humorless smile.

An opportunity.

She tossed the phone back to Chaya.

"Save it," Kailee said. "Don't let it disappear."

She stood up. The train of her wedding dress pooled around her like white armor.

"Let's go."

She pushed open the double doors of the suite.