Ethan stood, turned toward the venue manager, and said, “Please provide the security footage from the ballroom entrance, dessert table, and parking area. My wife’s attorney will subpoena it if necessary, but I assume you prefer cooperation.”
The manager nodded immediately. “Of course.”
Blake’s smirk disappeared. “Attorney? I thought you were the attorney.”
“I am,” Ethan said. “But I don’t represent myself when my wife is injured. I hire people meaner.”
A few guests gasped.
My mother tried to laugh. “This is all theatrics.”
Ethan reached into his coat and pulled out a slim folder. “No. Theatrics was announcing stolen property as a gift. This is consequence.”
He handed a page to my father.
Dad read it.
His face drained so quickly I thought he might faint.
“What is that?” Chloe demanded.
Ethan answered, “Notice of default. Ava holds the secured note on Bell Family Catering. Your parents missed three payments, then used company funds to pay for this engagement party after Ava refused to give them more money.”
“That’s a lie!” Mom shouted.
The venue manager’s expression changed.
Ethan continued, calm and merciless. “The deposit for this room came from Ava because she didn’t want Chloe humiliated. The flowers, the champagne upgrade, the photographer—Ava paid for all of it anonymously after your mother told her she was too pregnant and ugly to be a bridesmaid.”
Chloe whispered, “You paid?”
I looked at her from the stretcher. “I loved you.”
For the first time, shame crossed her face.
But Blake grabbed her arm. “Don’t fall for this.”
An officer stepped between them. “Sir, release her.”
Ethan turned toward Blake. “And you should know the BMW’s internal camera recorded you joking that my wife could Uber to medical appointments after being denied her own vehicle. It also recorded you encouraging Chloe to leave with the keys.”
Blake went pale.
