Chapter 1: The Truth Beneath the Water
Chapter 1: The Truth Beneath the Water
Silence fell over the entire reception.
Emma slowly climbed out of the pool, her soaked wedding dress clinging to her as every guest stared in disbelief. Victoria's confident expression disappeared the moment she saw the caller ID on Emma's phone.
Dad.
The profile photo clearly showed Chairman Carter.
Victoria took an uneasy step backward.
"That's impossible..." she whispered.
Chairman Carter walked straight past the crowd without acknowledging anyone else. He removed his suit jacket and gently wrapped it around Emma's shoulders.
"Are you hurt?" he asked softly.
Emma forced a smile.
"I'll be okay, Dad."
The simple word hit everyone harder than the splash in the pool.
Ethan looked from Emma to Chairman Carter.
"Dad... what's going on?"
Chairman Carter's expression turned cold.
"I think it's time everyone learned the truth."
He faced Victoria.
"Five years ago, my daughter asked me not to reveal our relationship. She wanted to build a life on her own, without my influence or my money. She wanted to know whether people would love her for who she was."
The guests exchanged stunned looks.
"So Emma..."
"...is my only daughter," Chairman Carter finished.
Victoria's face turned pale.
She had just humiliated the daughter of one of the most powerful businessmen in the country.
Emma looked directly at her mother-in-law.
"You never rejected me because I lacked character."
She paused.
May you like
"You rejected me because you judged me before you even knew me."
Not a single guest dared to speak.
