Chapter 7 - THE REHEARSAL DINNER TEST
The rehearsal dinner was held on the estate’s rear terrace.
Lorraine wore ivory even though Claire had asked guests to avoid white.
She raised a glass and praised the marriage as “the joining of two legacies.”
Daniel’s relatives applauded.
Claire’s board members looked uncomfortable.
Rachel sat near the back posing only as Claire’s attorney and family friend.
Detective Brooks attended as a guest of the security director.
Tessa moved between tables with a headset, controlling every detail.
After dessert, Lorraine placed a folder beside Claire’s plate.
“Just a few signatures for tomorrow.”
Claire opened it.
The voting proxy appeared beneath a flower-vendor authorization.
She looked at Daniel.
“I thought Rachel reviewed everything.”
Daniel smiled.
“These are event forms.”
“Then why does one transfer Hale Meridian voting authority?”
The terrace became quiet.
Lorraine laughed.
“You are reading legal language too literally.”
Claire pushed the folder back.
“I’ll sign tomorrow after Rachel reviews it.”
Daniel’s jaw tightened.
“You always bring lawyers into our private life.”
“Because you keep placing legal documents inside flower invoices.”
Several guests exchanged looks.
Lorraine leaned close enough that only the nearest tables heard.
“Do not humiliate my son.”
Claire looked at her.
“You should be more worried about what your son is asking me to sign.”
Daniel placed his hand over Claire’s wrist.
The touch appeared affectionate.
His fingers pressed painfully.
“Not tonight.”
Claire removed his hand.
Security cameras captured the movement.
Later, Daniel cornered Tessa inside the study.
The microphones recorded him.
“She is suspicious.”
Tessa replied, “Then don’t do it.”
“We are too close.”
“Pike has disappeared.”
Daniel became still.
“What do you mean?”
“He hasn’t answered since yesterday.”
Lorraine entered.
She blamed Tessa for losing control of Claire.
Tessa’s voice broke.
“I agreed to arrange papers. I did not agree to kill anyone.”
“You accepted the money,” Lorraine said.
“For signatures. Not a boat fire.”
Daniel closed the door.
“You know too much to leave now.”
The sentence changed Tessa.
She had believed she was a partner in a financial scheme.
She suddenly understood she was also a future liability.
After the meeting, she found Claire near the guesthouse.
Tessa looked around before speaking.
“Tomorrow morning, do not drink anything Lorraine sends into your room.”
“Why?”
“She asked catering for a special tea.”
“What is in it?”
“I don’t know.”
Claire already knew Tessa was involved.
She also saw genuine fear in her face.
“Come with me to security.”
Tessa backed away.
“If Daniel sees me—”
“He already threatened you.”
Tessa began crying.
Claire led her through a service entrance.
Detective Brooks was waiting.
Tessa surrendered her phone.
It contained photographs of the signature packets, payments from Lorraine, and instructions to isolate Claire before the ceremony.
One message read:
Use the drops only if she refuses to calm down.
Police tested the small bottle found in Tessa’s kit.
It contained a powerful sedative.
Lorraine intended to drug Claire, describe her as overwhelmed, and guide her hand through the signatures.
Tessa accepted a cooperation agreement.
She would continue acting normally until police intervened.
For the first time, Claire saw how Lorraine controlled accomplices.
Money brought them close.
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Fear kept them trapped.
👉 The signature plan no longer depended on Claire being persuaded—Lorraine had prepared to make the bride too weak to resist.
