The Camera Julian Forgot
Chapter 02 - The Camera Julian Forgot
Julian demanded that the hotel manager turn off the camera.
The manager remained near the ballroom entrance with both hands folded.
“I cannot, sir.”
“This is my wedding.”
“The surveillance archive is controlled by the property owner.”
Julian looked at Amanda.
She had selected the ballroom because it belonged to one of the historic hotels left by Sophie’s late father, Michael Reed.
Julian treated that detail as sentiment.
He had not studied the ownership structure.
The hotel was held inside Sophie’s protected inheritance trust. Every public ballroom used an independent evidence archive after a previous case involving missing property and altered guest footage.
Amanda stood slowly, keeping Sophie behind her.
“Play the recording.”
Julian stepped between her and the manager.
“No child should be publicly humiliated.”
Amanda stared at him.
“You humiliated her before the entire room.”
Julian lowered his voice.
“You are emotional. Do not make this worse.”
The same phrase had ended many arguments during their engagement.
This time, it failed.
Family attorney Naomi Bell approached the signing table.
She had attended as a guest and carried no legal folder. Yet her voice immediately changed the room.
“Preserve the footage. Nobody removes the papers, basket, ring, or tableware.”
Julian laughed nervously.
“Naomi, this is a family issue.”
“You introduced guardianship and trust documents into it.”
Sophie pointed toward the signing table.
“He put the red cup there before I came in.”
Julian looked at her.
The child flinched.
Amanda saw it.
May you like
Not for the first time, she realized.
For the first time, she understood it.
