Chapter 2
I glanced at Nina, who sprawled out on the floor.
Her white dress still looked perfect.
Her wrists were a bit red.
There was dust smudged along her calves, and no sign of bleeding.
I asked Charles, "She's hurt like this. Did you call an ambulance?"
He paused.
I kept going, "She said I pushed her. Did you call the cops?
"Did anyone secure the scene?
"Did anyone check the security footage?
"None of that happened.
"The first thing you did was grab me and demand I apologize."
I looked up at him. "Are you really worried about her, or are you just in a hurry to pin this on me?"
Charles stared at me for a couple of seconds, but didn't say a word.
Nina immediately tugged at his sleeve.
"Charles, don't get into it with Miss Shaw because of me," she said softly.
"It's your wedding day. I really don't want to mess it up."
She looked up at me, her eyes welling up with tears again.
"Miss Shaw, I just never thought you'd dislike me so much."
I walked over and crouched down, making sure to keep a solid three steps between us.
"Me disliking you? That's just my own business," I said.
"But you accusing me of pushing you? Now that's a legal matter.
"Don't confuse the two."
Nina's face turned even paler.
I stood up and looked over at the hotel manager, who was already sweating bullets.
"Why are you just standing there?" I asked.
"Someone got injured right here in your hotel, and now she's accusing me of pushing her down the stairs.
"If you don't call an ambulance, secure the scene, or save the security footage, and something goes wrong, are you ready to take the fall for it?"
The manager's face changed instantly, and he turned to give orders to his staff.
Soon, the hotel security blocked off the stairway, and another staff member rushed to the security room.
I added, "Get the footage from the cameras outside the second-floor lounge, the side door of the first-floor party hall, and the fire escape entrance. Make sure it's all backed up.
"Don't let anyone touch it, delete it, or overwrite it."
I pulled out my phone.
Charles's eyes darkened as he stared me down.
"What are you trying to do now?" he asked.
"Call the cops," I replied.
Nina's head snapped up.
"No!" she cried out, her voice sharp and urgent.
The word came out so suddenly that everyone in the room turned to stare at her.
Realizing she'd drawn all the attention, Nina bit her lip, tears shimmering as she looked at Charles.
"Charles, I really don't want to make a scene," she said softly.
"It's your wedding day.
"I don't want to mess things up for you two because of me—"
"Stop," I said, cutting her off.
I looked at her.
"Nina, when you said I pushed you down the stairs, you weren't worried about causing a big scene.
"But now, the minute I want to call the cops, suddenly you want to keep it low-key?
"Is it really just about not wanting to cause a big scene?
"Or are you just scared the police might get involved?"
Nina shot Charles a look, clearly hoping he'd step in and stop me.
Charles's voice was cold as he said, "Tara, do you really have to suspect her like that?"
"Yes," I replied.
"Because she's accusing me of murder," I said.
The room fell silent.
I called the cops.
Once the call connected, I put it on speaker.
"Hello, I'd like to report an emergency," I said.
"This is at Cloudtop Hotel, at a wedding. Someone's accusing me of pushing her down the stairs.
"She's currently lying at the entrance to the first-floor fire escape. The hotel has already called an ambulance, and they're securing the scene.
"I want the police to come and investigate."
The operator asked for the exact address and details about what was happening.
I answered each question one by one.
Charles glanced past me, checking out the business partners standing by the entrance to the party hall.
His expression changed—anger giving way to a colder, more sinister look.
After I finished the call, I put my phone away.
Just then, Nina let out a soft gasp, like the pain was too much for her.
Charles stooped down, about to scoop her up.
"Don't touch her," I cut in.
Charles stopped cold, his arms hanging in the air.
I looked at him. "She says she fell down the stairs.
"We don't know if she's got any head or neck injuries.
"If you pick her up now and cause further injury, is that on you or me?"
Guests started to whisper.
"I don't think we're supposed to move her"
"Yeah, better wait for the medics if someone takes a fall."
"Better not touch her yet."
Nina didn't seem to expect me to take things in this direction.
She said softly, "Charles, I'm really fine. You don't have to worry about me."
I looked at her.
"Oh, so you're totally fine now?" I said, my tone flat.
She froze for a second.
"You just told everyone I pushed you down the stairs," I continued.
"And now you're suddenly okay?"
"Miss Shaw, I just didn't want Charles to worry," Nina replied softly.
I stared at her.
"Then cooperate with the doctors," I said calmly. "Don't just make him worry; let the cops collect the evidence they need."
Nina's lips parted, but she couldn't get a word out.