"Fern." His voice shook with fury. "I didn't think even you could sink this low. Projecting Christina's nude photos at her own mother's wedding?"

"It's already trending online. How is she supposed to find a husband now? You're trying to destroy her!"

I shoved his hands away, bewildered.

"What are you—"

Christina cut me off, her voice breaking into theatrical sobs.

"Sis, I know you didn't want to transfer the shares to me. But it was Dad's decision! What was I supposed to do, defy him?"

"If you're angry at me, fine. I'll accept that. But why did you have to do this on Mom's wedding day?" Her lip trembled. "She spent years being called the other woman. She's suffered enough."

And there it was.

The real play.

When my father had fallen for my mother—defying both families, ignoring the gap in their status to marry her—he'd given her half his shares. To make her feel secure.

She'd signed them over to me.

This whole thing is a setup. For those shares.

I laughed—cold, hollow.

"Kevin." I met his eyes. "You really can't see it? This is all her. A performance she wrote, directed, and starred in—just to steal what my mother left me."

"You say I did it—who saw me? Where's the proof?"

"I don't need proof. Christina isn't the scheming type. You're the only one with motive!"

Kevin's face was set with absolute certainty. He grabbed my arm.

"You're going to livestream an apology to Christina right now. You'll admit you did all of it."

"And you'll transfer every share under your name to her. You owe her that much."

"And if I refuse?"

At my words, Christina's face crumpled. She let out a shriek.

"Kevin, my reputation is ruined because of her! Everyone's calling me a shameless homewrecker who destroyed our parents' wedding!"

"She's had Dad by her side her whole life, shares in the company, and a husband as accomplished as you. I have nothing. If I'm going to be pointed at and whispered about for the rest of my life, I'd rather just die!"

Kevin lunged to grab her.

"Christina, don't be rash!"

His eyes blazed as they cut toward me. A cold smile curved his lips.

"Fern. Do you really think the body that was cremated that day... was your mother?"