05
“Congratulations to Howard Lee, my fiance, on successfully abandoning his fiancee and welcoming his mistress into the fold.”
Howard Lee, consumed by rage, started forward to intervene, but then his gaze fell upon me, standing on the other side.
At that moment, I was standing on the stage, tearfully lamenting my plight.
My fiance of five years, in his eagerness to marry his childhood sweetheart, callously
cancelled our engagement on the very eve of our wedding, even attempting to commandeer
the wedding venue itself. Such gall! Who could possibly endure it?
The crowd rallied to my defense, roundly condemning Howard Lee as a hypocrite.
There were, of course, those on rather good terms with Howard Lee who, utterly
unconcerned, attempted to ascend, only to be intercepted by security.
Naturally, the majority were merely spectators to the unfolding drama.
Howard Lee, observing this spectacle, rushed forward and dragged me from the stage, demanding through clenched teeth:
“Madeline Chase, just what do you think you’re doing?”
Why, stirring the pot, naturally.
Surely he didn’t imagine I was entirely devoid of spirit, that after wantonly hurting and toying
with me, he could still anticipate a blissful union with Vivian Lynn until death, did he?
The audacity!
Committing to the performance, my eyes instantly welled with tears, and I regarded him
with wounded innocence.
“And what, pray tell, am I doing? You’re permitted to marry another, but I’m denied even the
solace of a little sadness?”
A woman, perhaps in her fifties or sixties, chimed in from the sidelines.
“Precisely, Howard. We’ve practically seen you grow up. Even if you’re kind to Vivian, you must
still exercise some discretion. Just look how aggrieved this poor girl is.”
I, of course, seized the opportunity to fan the flames, weeping copiously.
“The truly galling part? They actually expect me to be their bridesmaid!”
A wave of disapproval rippled through the crowd, branding Howard Lee a complete cad.
Howard Lee’s face was livid as he roared.
“Vivian Lynn is the one I’ve always wanted to marry. As for the other woman, the unloved one
is the mistress.”
He turned to me, his tone laced with malice.
“You aren’t fit to lick Vivian’s boots. If you have any sense, you’ll absent yourself from this
Wedding. Your presence is unwelcome.”
“Delay this Wedding at your peril. Don’t blame me for the consequences.”
He was threatening me, of course.
11:21 Sat, 3 May 0
“Delay this Wedding at your peril. Don’t blame me for the consequences.”
He was threatening me, of course.
Fortunately, it wasn’t long before plainclothes officers escorted Vivian Lynn downstairs.
96%
My objective achieved, I didn’t linger. I signaled to the gong and drum players that they were
dismissed.
Vivian Lynn, upon seeing Howard Lee, undoubtedly perceived him as a lifeline, desperately imploring him to save her, and insisting upon her innocence.
Howard Lee, unaware of the situation, was about to intervene when, in the next instant, the police publicly announced:
“Ms. Lynn is suspected of orchestrating a significant HIV transmission operation and is required to accompany us for questioning.”
“How could that be!”
Howard Lee simply refused to believe it. In his estimation, Vivian Lynn had always been a fragile and dependent young woman; where would she find the audacity to organize a virus transmission operation?
Besides, even if she were to do such a thing, where would the virus even come from? The
notion is utterly preposterous.
The onlookers, however, were less concerned with logic, and an uproar immediately ensued. Some went so far as to openly accuse him.
“Howard Lee, how could you conceal something of this magnitude from us? Are you trying to
kill us all!”
“What sort of wife have you chosen? She’s so malevolent, wishing to infect us with AIDS!” “Could it be that she herself is afflicted with AIDS? How terrifying! In any case, I dare not partake in this meal. If I don’t flee, I fear I shall be poisoned to death!”
A crowd of people, as if wishing for wheels on their feet, rushed out in a frenzied swarm, terrified of being overtaken by some unclean thing, muttering “Bad luck!” as they fled.
Seeing Howard Lee’s disbelief, the police presented Vivian Lynn’s official diagnosis to hir “This is Ms. Lynn’s AIDS diagnosis, provided by the hospital. Based on our information, she is indeed a prime suspect.”
“You should get tested at the hospital as soon as possible. Early intervention might still be possible.”
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11.41
Sal, 3 May
