Chapter 2 - The Video Starts Before Dinner
The guest who had been recording was an older woman named Judith Lane.
She was a retired event photographer and a longtime friend of Daniel’s
late father.
Judith had begun filming the ballroom because she wanted a private video
of the decorations before the ceremony.
That meant her camera had been running long before the silver tray hit
the floor.
Daniel stood beside Emily while Judith replayed the earlier footage.
At 5:42 p.m., Margaret appeared near the service station.
She looked around.
Then she reached into her evening bag and removed a small velvet pouch.
Emily leaned closer to the screen.
Margaret slipped the pouch into the lower compartment of Emily’s service
cart.
Three minutes later, Vanessa walked over.
Her mother whispered something.
The audio was faint, but one sentence was clear.
“Make sure she’s the one serving our table.”
Daniel’s face hardened.
Emily stared at Vanessa.
“You planned this.”
Vanessa shook her head too quickly.
“No.”
Judith continued the recording.
At 5:49, Margaret opened the velvet pouch.
Inside was a diamond bracelet.
She placed it beneath a folded service cloth.
Then she closed the cart.
Daniel looked at his bride.
“What was the bracelet for?”
Vanessa did not answer.
Margaret did.
“She was stealing.”
Emily almost laughed.
“You planted it before I even entered the ballroom.”
Nobody moved.
May you like
The humiliation had not been spontaneous.
Emily had been selected.
