Chapter 1 - The Fall They Planned
Olivia’s champagne glass spun through the sunset as Grant shoved her from behind. She fell inward onto the stone terrace, conscious but stunned. “He pushed me,” she said as Maya, the event medic, stabilized her. Eleanor crossed the silent reception. “Who did this?” Olivia pointed at Grant. “He shoved me from behind.” Guests turned while security blocked the exits. Grant tried to smile. “She slipped. Women like her always make scenes when they marry above their station.” Eleanor’s expression hardened. “She designed this vineyard’s restoration while you inherited the key.” Maya found a torn envelope beneath Olivia’s gown. Inside was a transfer agreement giving Grant control of her late father’s worker trust if she became medically incapacitated. The document described her terrace fall before the reception began. Then a guest recovered the last seconds from the flying glass: reflected in its curved surface was Eleanor standing behind Grant, silently nodding before he pushed Olivia.
