All Chapters of BENEATH THE LIES : Chapter 131 - Chapter 140

132 CHARLES' POV After leaving the place I met with Hunter where I'd finalized my transformation into Stanley Richardson, I drove the rented black Ferrari through the city streets toward my destiny. Every mile that passed brought me closer to claiming what had been stolen from me years ago—Alora, the life I deserved, and the ultimate revenge against the man who had destroyed everything I held dear. When I finally arrived at the St. Regis Hotel, the scene outside was even more chaotic than I had anticipated. News vans lined the street, their satellite dishes reaching toward the sky like mechanical flowers. Dozens of reporters and cameramen had gathered behind velvet ropes, creating a media gauntlet that any arriving guest would have to navigate. As I pulled the Ferrari up to the valet stand, I could see the reporters' heads turning in unison, their predatory instincts activated by the sight of the distinctive vehicle they all recognized as belonging to Stanley Richardson. Camera fla

134 ASH'S POV I had been sitting in the front row for nearly twenty minutes, watching the elegant procession of wealthy guests filing into their seats, when I began to hear excited murmurs rippling through the crowd behind me. The soft classical music that had been playing throughout the venue seemed to swell with anticipation, and I could sense that something significant was happening. Curious, I turned in my seat to see what had captured everyone's attention, and my breath caught in my throat. There she was. Alora. She stood at the entrance of the St. Regis Hotel's grand hall, and I had to admit, even through the lens of my burning hatred for her, that she looked absolutely magnificent. Her wedding dress was a masterpiece of couture craftsmanship—layers upon layers of pristine white silk and tulle that seemed to float around her like a cloud. The bodice was intricately beaded with what appeared to be thousands of tiny crystals that caught and reflected the light from the chande

136 STANLEY'S POVWhen we all turned toward the source of the gunshot, my heart nearly stopped at what I saw standing in the doorway. It was the man who had betrayed me earlier—the fake Marcus who had lured me to this abandoned warehouse with threats against Alora and her mother."you," the real Marcus said grimly, his voice filled with recognition and barely contained rage. "This is the bastard who impersonated me and locked me away so he could take my place."I stared at the man who had been instrumental in destroying what should have been the happiest day of my life. Hunter stood in the doorway with a pistol pointed directly at my chest, his expression cold and professional. There was something almost casual about the way he held the weapon, like this was just another day at the office for him."So you're the reason Marcus wasn't with me when I left the mansion this morning," I said, pieces of the puzzle finally clicking into place. "You tied him up somewhere so you could take his

138 ALORA'S POV I had just finished saying my vows, my voice trembling with emotion as I promised to love Stanley Richardson for the rest of my life. Watching him deliver his own vows with such passion and conviction had filled me with overwhelming joy, despite all the chaos that had surrounded our relationship in recent weeks. When Pastor Williams stepped forward to deliver the traditional announcement—"If there is anyone here who knows of any reason why this couple should not be joined in holy matrimony, speak now or forever hold your peace"—I had felt a flutter of nervous anticipation mixed with relief that we were so close to becoming husband and wife. Then everything exploded into absolute chaos. The thunderous boom seemed to come from everywhere at once, shaking the entire hotel structure like an earthquake. I felt the vibrations through the floor of the altar platform, watched in horror as the elegant crystal chandeliers swayed violently overhead before several of them c

140 STANLEY'S POVWhen Marcus spoke about getting me to safety and coordinating with law enforcement, something inside me snapped. I turned to him with a glare that could have melted steel."Are you out of your fucking mind?" I snarled. "They just took Alora. They have my wife, Marcus. Get in the car. Now."Marcus opened his mouth to argue, probably to give me some tactical advice about proper procedure and waiting for backup, but I wasn't interested in hearing any of it."I am not going to let them run away with my bride," I said, my voice carrying a tone of finality that left no room for discussion. "Either you drive, or I drive myself, but we're following that van right now."Marcus must have recognized something in my expression—the desperation of a man who had lost everything that mattered to him and was willing to risk everything to get it back. Without another word of protest, he climbed behind the wheel of our SUV while I threw myself into the passenger seat.The engine roare