Emily Was Seconds Away From Saying “I Do” — Then a Woman Put an Official Document in Her Hands
Chapter 3 — The Woman Who Came Back
Nora explained.
She had represented Natalie years earlier in a separate employment matter.
Then they lost contact.
Three weeks ago, Natalie called unexpectedly.
She sounded frightened.
She wanted to know whether Ryan had remarried.
Nora searched public records.
There was no second marriage.
But she found Ryan and Emily’s wedding announcement online.
“Why didn’t Natalie come herself?” Emily asked.
Nora hesitated.
“Because she’s afraid of Ryan.”
The room went silent.
Ryan stepped forward.
“That’s a lie.”
Nora looked at him.
“She says you threatened her after she discovered what you were doing.”
Emily stared at Ryan.
“Doing what?”
Ryan shook his head.
“This is ridiculous.”
Nora removed another page.
Bank transfers.
Company names.
Dates.
Emily didn’t understand any of it.
Then she saw one familiar name.
CARTER FAMILY HOLDINGS.
Her father’s company.
Emily looked closer.
“Why is my family’s business on this?”
Ryan’s face changed.
Nora looked directly at Emily.
“That’s why I couldn’t wait until tomorrow.”
Emily’s father, Thomas Carter, stepped forward.
“What exactly are you accusing him of?”
Nora answered carefully.
“Nothing yet.”
Then she pointed toward several transfers.
“But Natalie says Ryan used their marriage to hide money through companies she didn’t know he controlled.”
Thomas looked at Ryan.
“And now he’s working with my company.”
Ryan’s voice rose.
“I don’t control Carter Family Holdings.”
Thomas stared at him.
“No.”
Then his expression hardened.
“But you’re about to become family.”
