Chapter 4

I lowered my head, my fingers flying across the screen.

I opened the control room link.

Typed in Vanessa's phone number.

Entered the complex bypass password.

Login Successful.

The screen shifted, displaying the master control panel of the wedding venue's AV system.

Future me: [Go to Drive D. There’s a folder named 'Surprise.']

Future me: [That's the fake file she prepared to destroy our dad.]

I scrolled through the system and quickly located the folder.

Inside lay a high-definition video and a mountain of forged financial ledger photos.

I clicked "Delete All."

Then, I opened my own secure cloud drive.

My future self had already uploaded a massive trove of undeniable evidence.

There was raw, uncensored security footage of Vanessa and Julian hooking up in hotel rooms.

Screenshots of Julian admitting to embezzling Vance Enterprises' funds.

And even an audio recording of Vanessa bribing a doctor to slowly poison my father with a lethal chemical cocktail.

Any single one of these was enough to send them to prison for life.

This was my ultimate counter-gift.

I selected all the files and uploaded them with one click.

Replacing everything in the "Surprise" folder.

I then disabled the local AV crew's access to the control board.

Now, the giant screen in the hall could only be controlled by my phone.

Watching the progress bar hit 100%, I let out a long breath.

At the end of the hallway, the heavy double doors were slowly pushed open.

The wedding march echoed through the massive hall.

The host's enthusiastic voice boomed over the speakers:

"And now, ladies and gentlemen, please stand and give a warm welcome to our beautiful bride!"

Vanessa adjusted her veil, painting a picture-perfect look of devotion on her face, and walked onto the stage.

Julian, acting as the groomsman, held the train of her gown, following closely by her side.

As they stepped onto the stage, the crowd erupted into thunderous applause.

The attendees today were the most prominent figures in high society.

Countless media cameras were pointed at the stage, flashes blindingly bright.

Vanessa picked up the microphone and looked toward the back of the hall where I was waiting.

"Today is the most important day of my life."

"I am marrying the man I love more than anything, the man I swear to cherish and protect for the rest of my life—Ethan Vance."

Her voice was incredibly gentle.

She put on a flawless performance of a devoted wife.

The guests whispered in admiration.

"Vanessa is truly one of a kind."

"Ethan is so lucky to have found such a devoted woman."

"They really are the perfect couple."

Standing behind the doors, listening to their praise, I felt a wave of nausea.

She was a narcissistic sociopath with a severe savior complex.

Basking in the adulation, Vanessa’s tone suddenly shifted.

"But before I bring out my groom, I have a special surprise for him."

"And a grand gift for the Vance family, and Mr. Arthur Vance himself."

The hall fell silent. Everyone held their breath in anticipation.

Sitting at the VIP table, my dad looked up with a proud, warm smile.

He had no idea that the woman he treated like a daughter was holding a knife to his throat.

Beside her, Julian smirked, unable to hide his triumph.

He even shot a mocking, provocative glance toward the back of the hall where I stood.

His eyes said it all: You're dead, Ethan.

My future self texted: [She's about to play the video.]

[Ready to claim your stage?]

I stared at the screen, my thumb hovering over the "Play" button.

My blood was boiling.

Vanessa turned and pointed to the massive LED screen in the center of the stage.

"Please look at the screen."

"This surprise is something none of you will ever forget."

"Ethan Vance, this is for you. Watch closely!"

Her voice was dripping with malicious triumph.

The lights in the hall dimmed, and every eye locked onto the black screen.

I looked at the hypocritical snake on stage, a slow smile spreading across my lips.

"Oh, I'm watching."

I slammed my thumb down on the "Play" button.

The moment the screen lit up, the smile on Vanessa’s face froze.