Clara stepped back until her spine hit the cool glass of the balcony door[span_79](start_span)[span_79](end_span).
Clara: I need five minutes in the bridal dressing room to collect myself[span_80](start_span)[span_80](end_span).
Evelyn: You have three minutes, Clara[span_81](start_span)[span_81](end_span). The string quartet has already begun playing the prelude in the chapel[span_82](start_span)[span_82](end_span).
Liam: Don't do anything foolish, Clara[span_83](start_span)[span_83](end_span). Think about your mother’s oxygen supply before you throw a tantrum[span_84](start_span)[span_84](end_span).
Clara slipped through the door, gathering her heavy skirts in her hands as she sprinted down the private service hallway[span_85](start_span)[span_85](end_span).
She ducked into the bridal suite, locking the heavy brass bolt into place with a frantic click[span_86](start_span)[span_86](end_span).
Her hands shook violently as she reached into her hidden satin clutch and pulled out her smartphone[span_87](start_span)[span_87](end_span).
She dialed a number she hadn't called in almost two years, praying the line was still active[span_88](start_span)[span_88](end_span).
Voice: Vance Harbor Freight and Salvage, Arthur speaking[span_89](start_span)[span_89](end_span). Make it quick, we're loading barges[span_90](start_span)[span_90](end_span).
Clara: Uncle Arthur! It’s Clara[span_91](start_span)[span_91](end_span). I need your help right now[span_92](start_span)[span_92](end_span)!
Arthur: Clara? Kiddo, why are you calling from a panicked breath? Aren't you supposed to be walking down the aisle to that billionaire kid[span_93](start_span)[span_93](end_span)?
Clara: Uncle Arthur, Evelyn Vance just forced a contract in front of me[span_94](start_span)[span_94](end_span). They bought Mom’s nursing facility and are trying to seize grandfather's harbor parcel[span_95](start_span)[span_95](end_span).
The line went dead silent for two long seconds, followed by the heavy clanking sound of a dropped wrench[span_96](start_span)[span_96](end_span).
Arthur: Say that again, Clara[span_97](start_span)[span_97](end_span). Did they mention the northern harbor basin lot[span_98](start_span)[span_98](end_span)?
Clara: Yes! They said their municipal development bond depends entirely on acquiring that specific dirt[span_99](start_span)[span_99](end_span).
Arthur: The lying, predatory snakes[span_100](start_span)[span_100](end_span)! Clara, listen to me very carefully and do not let them pressure you into signing a single syllable[span_101](start_span)[span_101](end_span).
Clara: They threatened to evict Mom onto the street in two hours if I don't sign before the ceremony begins[span_102](start_span)[span_102](end_span)!
Arthur: They can't evict a single soul, Clara[span_103](start_span)[span_103](end_span). Your grandfather didn't just leave that land to your mother; he structured it under the federal maritime preservation act[span_104](start_span)[span_104](end_span).
Clara: What does that mean, Uncle Arthur[span_105](start_span)[span_105](end_span)?
Arthur: It means that harbor lot isn't private commercial real estate[span_106](start_span)[span_106](end_span). It holds the deep-water easement for the entire federal port authority[span_107](start_span)[span_107](end_span).
Clara held her breath, trying to process the legal weight of her uncle's words[span_108](start_span)[span_108](end_span).
Arthur: If any private development firm attempts to acquire that title through coercion or predatory foreclosure, they violate federal maritime security laws[span_109](start_span)[span_109](end_span).
Clara: They don't know that, do they? Evelyn thinks it’s an abandoned commercial warehouse[span_110](start_span)[span_110](end_span).
Arthur: Their young analysts only looked at the county tax assessment records[span_111](start_span)[span_111](end_span). They didn't pull the classified port registry filings from thirty years ago[span_112](start_span)[span_112](end_span).
A loud, authoritative banging rattled the wooden door of the bridal suite[span_113](start_span)[span_113](end_span).
Liam: Clara! Open this door right now! Mom says the guests are all seated and the minister is waiting[span_114](start_span)[span_114](end_span)!
Clara: Uncle Arthur, can you get the original federal charter documents to the Vance estate ballroom[span_115](start_span)[span_115](end_span)?
Arthur: I am pulling out of the shipping terminal right now with two port authority marshals in my truck, Clara[span_116](start_span)[span_116](end_span).
Clara: How long will it take you to cross town[span_117](start_span)[span_117](end_span)?
Arthur: Ten minutes with the emergency sirens on[span_118](start_span)[span_118](end_span). Stall them, kiddo, and whatever you do, do not sign that transfer[span_119](start_span)[span_119](end_span).
Clara: I won't sign[span_120](start_span)[span_120](end_span). In fact, I am going to make sure every billionaire investor in that room sees exactly who they are dealing with[span_121](start_span)[span_121](end_span).
Clara tapped the screen to end the call, wiped a stray tear from her cheek, and took a deep, steadying breath[span_122](start_span)[span_122](end_span).
She reached into her jewelry pouch, pulled out her grandfather’s brass pocket watch, and tucked it into her glove[span_123](start_span)[span_123](end_span).
She unlocked the deadbolt and pulled the door open, finding Liam standing with a furious scowl on his face[span_124](start_span)[span_124](end_span).
Liam: What were you doing in there? Talking to your mother to complain[span_125](start_span)[span_125](end_span)?
Clara: No, Liam[span_126](start_span)[span_126](end_span). I was just making sure my vows were completely ready for the audience[span_127](start_span)[span_127](end_span).
Liam: Did you bring the signed property addendum with you[span_128](start_span)[span_128](end_span)?
Clara: Let’s walk down to the chapel together, Liam[span_129](start_span)[span_129](end_span). I think everyone deserves to witness what happens next[span_130](start_span)[span_130](end_span).
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