Chapter 5 - The Ultimatum
The word repossession hung in the air like a physical blow, heavy and suffocating.
Paige looked down at the ivory gown—the magnificent masterpiece of silk, pearls, and imported French lace—as if it had suddenly transformed into a viper. Her face flushed crimson with humiliation, mortification, and blinding rage.
“You’re joking,” Paige choked out, her voice trembling as tears carved clean tracks through her expensive foundation. “You’re going to repossess my wedding dress? On my wedding day? In front of everyone? Are you insane? Arthur’s family is literally outside!”
Eleanor lunged forward, her diamond rings catching the harsh overhead lights as she tried to slap the legal document out of Marcus’s hands. “This is a malicious stunt! Emily is just a bitter, jealous failure who sews clothes in a basement! She wouldn't dare humiliate her own family like this!”
“Actually, Mrs. Vance,” Marcus said, stepping back just out of reach while motioning to the two bailiffs behind him, “Emily is not the bitter failure you’ve spent years pretending she is. In fact, Bellamy Atelier is the parent corporation that designs, manufactures, and supplies high-end bridal couture to over forty luxury boutiques across the country—including the very atelier where you purchased this gown under false pretenses.”
The room went dead silent. The bridesmaids stared at each other in sheer disbelief. Paige’s mouth dropped open, her eyes darting between Marcus and the intricate embroidery of the gown she was wearing.
“No…” Paige whispered, shaking her head in denial. “That’s impossible. Emily works in a tiny downtown shop… she alters pants and hems cheap dresses…”
“Emily chose to keep her professional life separate from a family that only valued her when she was convenient,” Marcus said smoothly, his tone clinical and unyielding. He pulled a second document from his portfolio—a certified asset valuation report. “According to our corporate records, the retail value of this custom gown, combined with the rushed structural modifications and specialty lace sourcing, totals exactly $39,450. Since your mother attempted to secure it via fraudulent corporate guarantees, you have two choices.”
He pointed a steady finger toward the legal notice.
“Option one: You pay the full balance in certified funds within the next thirty minutes to clear the account and purchase the dress outright. Option two: My associates assist the bride in removing the garment right now, as it remains unauthorized corporate property.”
Eleanor stared at the paper, her chest heaving as reality finally crashed down upon her. Her high-society friends were waiting outside. The Hendersons—the pinnacle of wealth and status—were mingling in the ballroom, expecting a flawless, extravagant display of elite perfection. If a scandal broke out now, if the bride’s dress was stripped away over a fraud investigation, their family name would be permanently blacklisted from elite society.
“We’ll pay it,” Eleanor whispered, her voice cracking as defeat settled into her bones. She reached into her designer clutch with trembling fingers, pulling out her personal black card. “Run the card. Run it right now.”
Marcus shook his head slowly, a faint, cold smile touching his lips.
May you like
“I’m afraid your personal credit cards were flagged under the fraud alert hours ago, Mrs. Vance,” Marcus replied calmly. “Only one person has the authorization to lift the freeze and clear the account.”
He tapped his watch. “And she’s currently sitting in her downtown studio, waiting for your call.”
