Chapter 3 - A Wedding Built on Appearances
Vivian Reed did not believe in modest celebrations.
She believed weddings were public declarations of status.
Within three weeks, the guest list expanded from eighty people to two hundred.
A second ballroom was added for cocktails.
The local string quartet became a twelve-piece orchestra.
The simple flower package was replaced by imported white orchids.
Grant approved every change.
Whenever Madison asked whether Eleanor was comfortable with the rising cost, Grant gave the same answer.
“My mother wants us to have everything.”
It was a lie.
The invoices Eleanor received were carefully altered.
The orchestra appeared as “ceremony music.”
The imported flowers were listed at half their price.
The additional ballroom was hidden under a general venue fee.
Grant instructed Rachel Sloan, the wedding planner, to send all financial questions directly to him.
“My mother gets overwhelmed by numbers,” he said. “I’m trying to protect her.”
Rachel had met Eleanor only once.
She had no reason to doubt him.
Eleanor continued attending dress fittings and menu tastings whenever Grant invited her.
But the invitations became less frequent.
When she called, he said Madison was tired.
When she texted, he answered hours later.
Sometimes not at all.
One afternoon, Eleanor stopped by the Bellweather Hotel to deliver a handwritten list of family dietary restrictions.
She saw Vivian directing workers near a massive floral arch.
Vivian looked annoyed when Eleanor approached.
“You didn’t tell us you were coming.”
“I didn’t realize I needed an appointment.”
Vivian smiled without warmth.
“Grant is under pressure. Too many opinions could confuse the process.”
Eleanor glanced at the hundreds of orchids surrounding them.
“How much did this cost?”
Vivian stepped between her and the invoice clipboard.
“Grant said it was handled.”
That evening, Eleanor checked the trust statements.
A $38,000 payment had been issued under the description FAMILY HOSPITALITY SERVICES.
The recipient was the florist.
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It was the first number that did not match anything Grant had shown her.
👉 The orchids were only the first hidden expense, and the next payment would reveal that Grant was using more than wedding money.
