Chapter 2: The Hidden Mastermind
Two days later.
The entire country was talking about the failed wedding.
News channels replayed the footage repeatedly.
"The Bride Who Escaped Death."
Sophia remained inside her family estate, unable to sleep.
Nothing made sense anymore.
Then her phone rang.
It was Ava.
"I found something," she said.
Twenty minutes later, Sophia arrived at Ava's office.
Ava spread dozens of documents across a table.
"Ethan wasn't acting alone."
Sophia frowned.
"What do you mean?"
Ava slid one folder toward her.
Inside was a name.
Victor Sterling.
Sophia's stepfather.
Her blood ran cold.
Impossible.
Victor had raised her since she was fourteen years old.
"He was drowning in debt," Ava explained.
"He discovered he couldn't inherit your family's fortune while you were alive."
Sophia's hands trembled.
"He recruited Ethan."
Ava revealed years of forged financial records.
Stolen money.
Illegal accounts.
Secret offshore transfers.
Then came the biggest revelation.
Emily had originally refused to participate.
But Victor had blackmailed her.
He threatened to expose her younger brother's legal troubles unless she obeyed.
Sophia sat speechless.
Everything had been orchestrated by the man she called family.
Suddenly, Ava's phone buzzed.
May you like
Victor had vanished.
And so had twenty million dollars.
