Stamped into the metal was one number:
417.
His expression changed immediately.
“That was Vanessa’s hotel room the night we first met.”
Vanessa backed away.
“Michael, please… we can explain this privately.”
Oliver shook his head.
“My mother said you deserved to hear it in front of everyone.”
Then an older hotel employee stepped out from among the guests.
“I was working here that night.”
Vanessa froze.
The employee looked at Michael.
“Your wife didn’t meet you by accident.”
Michael stared at him.
“What are you talking about?”
The employee pointed toward Oliver.
“His mother was supposed to meet you first.”
Gasps erupted around the room.
Oliver’s voice cracked.
“My mother worked for Vanessa. She found documents proving Vanessa had been stealing money from your company.”
Michael slowly turned toward his bride.
Vanessa whispered:
“That’s ridiculous.”
Then Oliver placed a tiny voice recorder on the table.
“My mother recorded everything.”
Vanessa lunged for it.
Michael grabbed it first.
He pressed PLAY.
Vanessa’s own voice filled the ballroom:
“Once Michael marries me, nobody will believe her.”
Michael looked at his new wife as if he no longer recognized her.
But the recording wasn’t finished.
Another voice suddenly said:
“What about the boy?”
Vanessa answered:
“Michael can never find out who his father really is.”
Michael stopped breathing.
Every guest turned toward Oliver.
Oliver looked directly at him and whispered:
“That’s why my mother sent me here.”
