Chapter 1: The Truth Behind the Name
Silence swallowed the ballroom.
Claire stared at Daniel as if she had misheard him.
"What... what did you just say?"
Daniel's voice was steady, louder than before.
"I said she owns this place."
Every guest looked from Daniel to Elena, whose emerald dress was still stained with chocolate frosting.
Claire laughed nervously.
"Stop joking."
"I'm not."
Daniel turned toward the crowd.
"The Bellamy Grand Hotel isn't owned by my wife or by my family. It's owned by my sister, Elena Hayes. She purchased the hotel three years ago through Hayes Hospitality Group."
The ballroom erupted in whispers.
"No..."
"She's the owner?"
"I thought she was helping the staff."
Elena sighed softly.
"I was helping the staff," she answered. "I always do."
Several employees lowered their heads respectfully.
One of the senior managers hurried across the room.
"Ms. Hayes," he said with visible embarrassment. "We're terribly sorry for what happened."
Claire's confidence cracked.
"You...you lied!"
"I never lied," Elena replied calmly.
"You asked why I knew every employee."
"You asked why everyone greeted me."
"You simply never asked the right question."
Claire looked around desperately.
Guests who had admired her moments earlier now stared with open disgust.
One woman whispered,
"She threw cake at the woman who owns the hotel..."
Another shook his head.
"During her own wedding."
Daniel stepped toward Elena.
"I'm sorry."
"You don't owe me an apology," Elena answered.
"But you deserve the truth."
Daniel slowly faced Claire.
"There's something else I should have told you before today."
Claire's stomach tightened.
"The money that paid for this wedding..."
He paused.
"...came from Elena."
The crystal glass slipped from Claire's fingers and shattered across the marble floor.
Every decoration...
Every flower...
Every bottle of champagne...
Every single detail she had proudly shown off all evening...
Had been paid for by the woman she had just humiliated.
Claire's knees nearly gave out.
"I...I didn't know."
Elena looked at her with quiet disappointment.
May you like
"No."
"You never cared enough to ask."
