The bright summer sunlight felt hot against Sarah's tear-stained skin.
She wiped her eyes with the back of her white lace glove.
Her bridesmaid handed her a small tissue from her satin pocket.
Bridesmaid: Stay strong, Sarah. We are all here with you.
Suddenly, Sarah's dark smartphone chimed loudly in her small purse.
The sharp sound made everyone on the lawn pause their arguments.
Sarah pulled her phone out of the clutch bag with shaking fingers.
A new message notification flashed on the glass screen in front of her.
It was an urgent message from her family lawyer, Mr. Vance.
The message had an official legal document attached to the text.
Sarah opened the file and scanned the black text on her screen.
Her eyes grew wide as she read the legal notice from the city court.
Sarah: Oh my goodness... look at this timestamp.
Mark: What is it, Sarah? Who is texting you right now?
Sarah: Your father's lawyer filed the seizure notice ten minutes ago!
The crowd gasped louder as Sarah held up her smartphone screen.
Sarah: You timed the legal filing to hit while we were saying vows!
Richard: Business does not wait for wedding ceremonies, my dear.
Sarah: Do not call me your dear ever again!
Sarah turned toward Mark with absolute anger in her tearful eyes.
Sarah: How could you let this happen?!
Mark: Sarah, please calm down! We can talk about this later!
Sarah: You stood there and watched them destroy our family!
Mark stepped in close to Sarah and held out his hands defensively.
Mark: Father, stop them! Tell her this is standard procedure!
Richard: Mark, keep your composure in front of our guests.
Sarah: You both disgust me to my very core!
Sarah pressed her phone to her ear and dialed her lawyer back.
Tears flowed freely down her cheeks as the line rang four times.
Sarah: Please, answer me! Mr. Vance, pick up the phone!
The voice of her lawyer came through the speaker loudly.
Lawyer: Sarah! Do not let your father sign any papers today!
Sarah: He already signed the loan paper months ago, Mr. Vance!
Lawyer: That loan paper was based on fraudulent bank statements!
Everyone nearby heard the lawyer's strong voice over the phone line.
Richard's confident face suddenly turned pale as paper under the sun.
He took a quick step backward off the wooden altar platform.
Richard: That lawyer does not know what he is talking about!
Lawyer: I have the bank records right here in my hands, Richard!
Sarah held the phone tight as hope began to spark in her chest.
The truth was finally coming out in front of all their guests.