Chapter 1 — The Camera Never Lied
The smile vanished from Preston's face.
Not because of my words.
Because he finally looked up.
Above the ballroom entrance.
The tiny red light blinked steadily.
The hotel's security camera.
For the first time that evening...
His confidence cracked.
Then the ballroom doors burst open.
Two paramedics hurried toward Sophie while police officers followed close behind.
One officer knelt beside me.
"Ma'am, who assaulted your daughter?"
Before I could answer, my father stepped forward.
"It was an unfortunate family dispute."
"Everyone was emotional."
"We'd rather handle this privately."
The officer looked down at the blood running through Sophie's hair.
"This doesn't look private."
Another officer turned to Preston.
"Sir, don't leave the ballroom."
Preston forced a nervous laugh.
"There must be some misunderstanding."
"My niece stole my phone."
"I simply reacted."
His words sounded weaker than before.
The hotel manager suddenly entered the room.
His expression was grave.
"Officer..."
"Our surveillance team has already secured every camera recording."
Preston's face turned pale.
"There must be a mistake."
The manager calmly continued.
"We have six camera angles."
"Every second has been recorded."
Silence.
Complete silence.
One detective asked the question that changed everything.
"Would anyone like to explain why the victim never went within twenty feet of the groom's table..."
"...yet the missing phone somehow appeared inside her jacket?"
Nobody answered.
Then another voice came from the back.
"I think I can."
Every head turned.
It was Olivia.
One of the wedding photographers.
She slowly lifted her camera.
"I wasn't photographing the bride."
"I was testing my new zoom lens."
She pressed a button.
The camera's display lit up.
There was Preston.
Looking around to make sure no one was watching.
Then casually slipping his titanium iPhone into Sophie's jacket while she was distracted by the dessert table.
Several guests gasped.
One woman covered her mouth.
Another whispered,
"Oh my God..."
Preston lunged toward the photographer.
"Delete those pictures!"
A police officer intercepted him immediately.
May you like
"Sir..."
"Put your hands behind your back."
