Chapter 3 - The Call to the Storm
he phone rang only twice before a deep, calm voice answered. "Elise. I've been
watching the weather reports for Newport. I assumed you'd be busy with rehearsals."
"The rehearsals are over, Mercer," I said, my eyes fixed on the rain-lashed ocean. "My sister just
shredded my wedding dress. My mother told me to stop being dramatic and buy a simple off-the-rack
gown so Camille wouldn't feel overshadowed."
There was a long pause on the other end of the line, the sound of keyboard keys clicking softly in
the background. "They always did underestimate your tolerance, Elise. Are you sure about this? Once
I submit the verified ledger copies to the US Attorney's office, the federal freeze on Vance Holdings
goes live within thirty minutes. There is no reversing the warrants."
"I’ve spent six years letting them carve pieces out of my life to keep Camille happy," I said, my
voice steady, carrying the weight of a woman who had finally stepped out of the shadows. "Execute
the freeze, Mercer. And send the investigative team to the Whitmore estate tomorrow at noon. Right
when the reception begins."
"Consider it done," Mercer replied. "Sleep well, General. Tomorrow is going to be a very historic
day in Newport."
I hung up the phone and turned to Nora. The panic that had gripped me when I first saw my
ruined dress was completely gone, replaced by a profound, serene sense of power. I walked over to
the closet and pulled out a simple, elegant white silk garment bag. Nora gasped. "Wait... what is that?"
The Silk in Pieces 3
T
"My real wedding dress," I said, unzipping the bag to reveal a breathtaking, custom-tailored gown
of heavy ivory satin, embroidered with delicate platinum thread. "The Parisian silk dress Camille
destroyed was a decoy. I knew she couldn't resist trying to ruin my day. I had the designer make two
gowns, keeping this one locked in Nora's apartment until tonight. Camille thought she was cutting my
May you like
heart out, but she was only cutting a decoy. And now, she has signed her own family’s eviction notice."
◆ ◆ ◆
