He Blamed the Server Who Saved His Mother—Then the Camera Exposed His Fiancée

He Blamed the Server Who Saved His Mother—Then the Camera Exposed His Fiancée

Chapter 1 - The Tower Comes Down

Celeste planted both hands against Eleanor’s back and shoved her toward the champagne tower. Eleanor stumbled into its lower glasses, sending a shudder through the enormous display.

Celeste snatched Eleanor’s handbag as the tower began to lean. Across the ballroom, server Maya saw Eleanor standing directly beneath the falling tiers.

Maya ran forward and wrapped her arms around Eleanor, pulling her down and shielding her as glass cascaded across the marble. Guests screamed, “Oh my God!”

When the crashing stopped, Maya was still beside Eleanor. The older woman lay unconscious, and Maya called for help without releasing her hand.

Eleanor’s son Victor arrived with two security guards. He saw his mother on the floor and Maya leaning over her. Celeste stood farther away, clutching the handbag.

Victor rushed to them. Before Maya could explain, he slapped her once across the face. “What did you do to my mother?” he shouted.

“I pulled her away,” Maya said. Victor barely heard her. He turned to the guards and yelled, “Arrest her! Now!” They moved toward the crying server.

“I saved her! Please!” Maya cried. One guard stopped and called for medical help. The other asked Victor to step back from both women.

Celeste slid Eleanor’s handbag behind a chair. She had expected everyone to watch the falling glasses. She had not expected Maya to reach Eleanor in time.

Maya looked past Victor and saw Celeste’s hand leaving the bag. Then the guards helped her away from the glass, and she lost sight of it.