Chapter 9 - The Bride’s Version of the Fountain
By sunrise, edited clips from the wedding appeared online.
The videos began after Evelyn entered the fountain.
They showed her shouting at Richard.
They showed Blake arriving with armored SUVs.
They showed guests recoiling.
The shove itself was missing.
An anonymous account claimed Evelyn had deliberately fallen into the water to attract Blake Campbell’s attention.
Another post described her as Richard Vale’s “unstable estranged daughter.”
A third suggested Blake was only pretending to be her husband to protect a secret business arrangement.
Penelope released a statement before breakfast.
Yesterday, my sister experienced an emotional episode during my wedding. My family attempted to protect her privacy, but outsiders escalated the situation. We ask for compassion.
Evelyn read it twice.
Then she laughed without humor.
“She called assault an emotional episode.”
Blake’s attorneys advised immediate legal action.
Evelyn refused to respond publicly.
“Not yet.”
Blake studied her.
“What are you thinking?”
“She wants me angry. She wants me reacting while she looks calm.”
Margaret nodded slowly.
“That’s what Richard does.”
Evelyn opened the full video sent by the young server.
It began twenty seconds before the shove.
Richard’s words were clear.
Tell me who is paying for your life.
When Evelyn refused, he insulted her marriage, though he did not know her husband’s name.
Then came the push.
Penelope’s applause followed.
The recording also captured Margaret saying, “Richard, don’t.”
It proved everyone understood the danger before Evelyn fell.
Evelyn saved the video but did not release it.
Instead, she called Penelope.
Her sister answered immediately.
“You’ve ruined everything.”
“You pushed the story online.”
“I protected my wedding.”
“You applauded while Dad assaulted me.”
Penelope went silent.
Then her voice hardened.
“You always take what belongs to me.”
“What did I take?”
“Blake.”
Evelyn froze.
Penelope had known his name before the SUVs arrived.
“How long have you known?”
Penelope hung up.
Evelyn stared at the phone.
May you like
The wedding was not the first time Penelope had seen Blake Campbell.
👉 Penelope’s jealousy began long before the fountain—and one hidden photograph would reveal how deeply she had betrayed her sister.
