He Chose His Daughter Over the New Bride

Chapter 4 - The Truth in the Empty Reception Hall

Daniel did not call Adrian immediately.

He waited.

He knew a guilty man always appeared when he believed he could still control the story.

At seven in the evening, while workers removed flowers from a reception that would never happen, Adrian entered the mansion with a serious face and a gentle voice.

"Daniel, I heard about the wedding. Vivian is devastated. Perhaps you acted too quickly."

Daniel stood by the fireplace with Clara's phone in his hand.

"Lily was devastated too."

Adrian sighed.

"She is a child. Children exaggerate."

Daniel felt something inside him close.

That was the language of everyone who had tried to silence Lily.

"Clara left a message."

Adrian froze.

Only for one second.

But Daniel saw it.

"What message?"

Daniel pressed play.

Clara's voice filled the room again.

Adrian could no longer pretend surprise.

Daniel looked at him.

"What were you and Vivian planning?"

Adrian rubbed a hand over his face, finally tired of acting.

"Clara did not understand how money works. She wanted to tie everything to a child. I only wanted to protect the family legacy."

"By protecting it from her own daughter."

"Vivian would have been a good mother to Lily if the child learned her place."

Daniel took a step forward.

"She threatened to send her away."

Adrian lifted his chin.

"A boarding school would have been better for everyone."

The library door opened.

Lily stood there, with Nora behind her.

She had heard.

Her face broke.

"You wanted me gone too, Uncle Adrian?"

The man did not answer.

He did not need to.

Daniel walked to his daughter and lifted her into his arms.

"No one is sending you anywhere."

Then Samuel, the lawyer, entered with two police officers. During the afternoon, he had sent Clara's recording, Vivian's note, and the marriage addendum documents to the authorities. He had also found suspicious transfers between Adrian and an account connected to Vivian.

Vivian arrived minutes later, still wearing the wedding dress, unaware that everyone was waiting for her.

When she saw the officers, she stopped crying.

"Daniel..."

He did not move.

Vivian looked at Lily.

For the first time, there was no contempt in her face.

Only fear.

Daniel said one sentence:

"My daughter was not the problem. She was the reason you wanted to marry me."

And this time, Vivian could not deny it.