Chapter 3
Charles finally spoke, his voice cold. "Enough. Tara, she just came to wish us well today."
I nodded.
"Alright," I said. "Alright, so let's hear your blessing."
I glanced at the white dress Nina was wearing.
"Ms. Hayes, is it really necessary to wear a white dress that looks almost identical to my wedding gown just to wish us well?" I asked.
She lowered her head.
"I didn't mean to dress like this," she said.
"I just got off the plane, and the airline lost my luggage, so I had to borrow something from a friend."
"Just got off the plane? What time did you land?" I went on.
She paused.
"This morning," she said.
"Which flight?" I pressed.
Nina's gaze wavered, a hint of nervousness flickering in her eyes.
"I-I don't remember the flight number," she stammered.
I nodded.
"That's fine if you don't remember the flight number," I said.
"Then do you have any paperwork showing your luggage was lost?"
Her face went stiff.
Charles frowned. "Tara, is there a point to all these questions?"
"Yes," I replied. "Let me see if she's really a last-minute arrival or not."
I fixed my gaze on Nina.
"Did you bring an invitation?" I asked.
She just stayed silent.
I turned to the hotel manager.
"Can you check the guest list and entry logs?
"Let's see if she's really here to wish us well, or if someone snuck her in," I added.
Charles looked like he was about to speak, but the moment he heard "guest list," he fell silent.
Just then, Grace Mitchell, my bridesmaid, squeezed through the crowd, clutching a powder puff for touch-ups.
"Tara, what's going on? Are you okay?" she asked.
"I'm fine," I replied.
I looked at Grace.
"Ethan just told me the ring box was left in the lounge on the second floor, so I went to get it," I explained.
Grace frowned right away.
"Ethan? Wait, that can't be right.
"Before the makeup artist called me for touch-ups, I checked the schedule with everyone—no one said anything about the ring being lost," she added.
I glanced over at the crowd.
"Ethan," I called out.
He was standing toward the back of the crowd, visibly flustered.
I turned to Ethan.
"Who told you to come get the ring from me?" I asked.
Ethan swallowed hard.
"I... I heard it from James," he stammered.
I turned to James Benz, Charles's assistant.
"Was that you?" I asked.
James paused, his hand freezing on the tablet.
"Things were so hectic, maybe I messed up," he said.
I turned to the hotel manager.
"Let's look into it together," I said. "We'll let the records speak for themselves."
Charles didn't say another word.
It was the first time he'd ever gone quiet.
The ambulance arrived in no time.
As soon as the paramedics came in, I stepped aside.
"She's right here. She claims she fell down the stairs. Please check her head, neck, and limbs, and make sure to record everything just as it is," I said.
The paramedics nodded and started their examination.
Charles moved to approach, but the doctor blocked his way.
"Please step back. Don't crowd around," the doctor said.
I said calmly, "He's not family."
Charles gave me a sharp look.
I met his gaze.
"Let the paramedics do their job," I said.
Charles's eyes smoldered with suppressed rage.
But with the paramedics and guests around, he kept his temper in check.
Nina's examination dragged on.
She kept complaining about feeling dizzy.
The doctor asked if she'd hit her head.
She hesitated for a moment before answering, "I think I did."
I didn't say a word.
I simply told Grace to use her phone to record both audio and video.
When Nina saw Grace holding up her phone, her expression visibly faltered for a moment, panic flashing in her eyes.
I fixed my gaze on her.
"Why so nervous?"
"You're the one who's hurt here.
"Having evidence is only going to help you," I said.
She bit her lip.
"I just feel so awkward," she muttered.
"You weren't afraid when you were pushed down the stairs.
"But now you're scared of leaving evidence?" I pressed.
She didn't say a word.
After their initial examination, the paramedics said Nina showed no visible bleeding and was fully conscious.
"But she says she's dizzy, and her wrist, ankle, and lower back are hurting. It's best if she goes to the hospital for a more thorough check-up," one of them added.
Nina grabbed Charles's sleeve and whispered, "I want to wait until the police finish questioning me."
The doctor frowned, but could only let her sit and be observed for now.