The news broke before sunrise. By the time the city was fully awake, every major gossip site and business page was carrying the headline—“Carson McCoy Abandons Bride at the Altar.”
Pictures and short clips from the disastrous wedding were everywhere. The internet was a storm. People shared the story faster than it could be deleted.
Victoria was standing in her grand office when her phone began buzzing nonstop.
Her assistant’s voice came through the intercom, shaky. “Ma’am, the Crawfords are on line one,” she said.
Victoria’s jaw tightened. “Put them through,” she said coldly.
A sharp voice filled the room. “Victoria, what is the meaning of this humiliation?” It was Mrs. Crawford, Bridget’s mother. “Do you have any idea what your son has done to our family?”
Victoria tried to keep h
