At my sister's wedding, my dad announced that my brand-new car was her wedding gift in front of all the guests. I stood up and said, "no."

"You... you can't prove that," Arthur stammered, backing toward the door.

"The notary who stamped the document already confessed to Mark Vance an hour ago," I said, tapping my fingers rhythmically on the desk. "She admitted that you paid her five hundred dollars under the table to stamp my name without me being present. That’s grand fraud, Dad. That’s state prison time."

Arthur sank into one of the leather executive chairs, his face buried in his trembling hands. "Claire... please. If you go to the district attorney, everything is gone. The house, the business, my reputation... everything."

"You should have thought about your reputation before you let Madison tear out my hair while you cheered her on."

Before Arthur could answer, my phone on the desk lit up with an incoming call from a landline number I recognized immediately: Henderson & Associates, the law firm run by Trevor’s father, Richard Henderson.

I picked it up and hit speaker. "Claire Montgomery."

"Ms. Montgomery," a deep, aristocratic voice resonated through the room. Richard Henderson didn't sound angry; he sounded lethally precise. "This is Richard Henderson. I believe your father is currently in your office."

Arthur gasped, his head snapping up.

"He is, Mr. Henderson," I replied.

"Good. Save me the trouble of calling him separately. I am calling to inform you both that as of eight o'clock this morning, my son Trevor has filed for an emergency annulment of his marriage to Madison Montgomery."

Arthur leaped out of his chair. "Richard, no! Please! They love each other! It was just a misunderstanding with the police!"

"Silence, Arthur," Richard snapped with supreme contempt. "Your daughter spent her wedding night in a holding cell on felony assault and larceny charges. The mugshot is currently circulating among the partners at my private equity club. Furthermore, Trevor has informed me that your family’s supposed 'wealth' is an elaborate house of cards built on Claire’s personal credit."

"Richard, we can explain—"

"There is nothing to explain. The marriage was not consummated, no joint assets were created, and the prenup contained a strict moral turpitude clause. Trevor has already vacated their rental apartment. Madison is no longer welcome on any property owned by the Henderson family. If she steps foot near my son, I will personally file an order of protection."

Richard paused, his voice softening slightly as he addressed me. "Claire, my apologies that you were dragged into this vulgar spectacle. My firm had no knowledge that the vehicle was yours. I suggest you pursue every legal remedy available to recover your damages. Good day."

The line went dead.

Arthur stood frozen, his eyes wide and vacant. "An annulment... he left her? Just like that?"

"He didn't love her, Arthur," I said cold-bloodedly. "He loved the illusion of wealth you projected. And you built that illusion on my back."

"You did this," Arthur hissed, his despair suddenly twisting back into vile hatred. "You destroyed your sister's life! She’s ruined! She will never recover from this!"

"No," I replied, standing tall and walking over to the door. "Madison ruined herself the moment she decided that being pretty and entitled gave her the right to take what isn't hers. Marcus!"

The security guard pushed the door open.