Chapter 20

The benefits that came along with the old town redevelopment project were tremendous. All eyes were on it in hopes that they would be the chosen company. Michael Larson did the same and was hell-bent on obtaining the project.

Meanwhile, Heather Sunderland had a bad feeling about this. Worried that they might not be able to win over the project, she gave Sophia Kendrick a call that afternoon. After all, the Garcias and the Larsons would be one big family after the wedding and she was hoping that her future in-laws would give them a hand on this occasion.

Heather had heard John Garcia talk about this matter before and she knew that it would not be a problem for the Larsons. They were easily the most influential family in this field, and it only seemed natural that they got this project. With that in mind, she agreed to Sophia’s request without any hesitation.

“Don’t worry about it. I’ll inform Johnny to spread word about this in the city council. This project will belong to Michael in no time.”

Relieve and reassurance overtook her as Heather calmed down. The two mothers continued on to discuss the details of the wedding and ended the call soon after that.

Back in the study, Michael was silently going through a few documents when Heather walked in. “You better start preparing for your wedding soon, Michael. Your big day with Serena Garcia is just next month.”

As though he did not hear what his mother had just said, Michael kept his silence.

“Serena is a well-behaved woman with a good heart. She’s stayed by your side through thick and thin along the years and tried to be there for you whenever she could. Moreover, she’s Mayor John’s daughter and her status would benefit us a lot in the future.”

Heather was used to Michael’s cold, indifferent behavior by now.

Three years ago, she had finally gotten rid of Christina Williams. To her, she was the jinx that had brought bad fortune to their family. Ever since, Michael spoke less and less, and would sometimes go through a whole day without uttering a single word.

“I’ve already talked it out with your mother-in-law, Michael. Take leave from your work tomorrow and pick a wedding dress with Serena.”

She was about to leave when Michael abruptly gave a reply. “Mom, did you like Serena because of her behavior or because of her family background?”

Heather was stunned. “Of course it’s because of her behavior. Serena’s such a nice person that people tend to fall in love with her in just one glance.”

Michael stood up as he made his way out. “That’s good then. I hope you treat your daughter-in-law well this time, seeing as you’ve hand-picked her yourself. Don’t act like how you did before.”

Heather stared at her son’s back as he disappeared slowly into the background. Shocked, she opened her mouth to reply but found herself at a loss of words.

It seemed like her son had still blamed her for what happened back then. She did not like the way he spoke and his harsh words were definitely not music to her ears.

What did he mean when he said to treat her well? Was he not the one who chose his own wife?

Michael got in his car and roamed around the streets aimlessly, only to find himself at the doorstep of the company Christina worked at.

Coincidentally, he happened to bump into Christina and John Garcia by the coffee shop nearby. Why would the two of them be together?

It was only a matter of time before he married John’s daughter. Why would John be with his ex-wife at this time? Was John doubting his character and trying to look into his past to clear his suspicions?

This was not the John he knew.

When the two got out of the coffee shop, John had even given her a pat on her head and gave her hand a squeeze. Obviously, Christina shook it off, uttered something in return, and walked away without looking back.

John stood there staring at her back as she disappeared into the city, only to drive away after what seemed like a long time.

Michael went back home with confusion in his head as he did not understand how John and Christina were related in any way at all. Laying in bed, he tossed and turned when sleep finally kicked in during the wee hours of the day.

A loud knock on his door woke him abruptly the next morning.

“Serena has already arrived, Michael. Why are you still in bed? Get up now, you need to try out wedding dresses with her later on!”

Michael could not think straight as he slowly made his way out of bed to clean himself up. He had almost forgotten about his date with Serena that day.

Half an hour had already passed by the time he took his shower. A warm smile on her face, Serena sat patiently in the living room with no trace of annoyance as she chatted away with Heather.

Taking a deep breath, Micahel walked down the stairs.

“Let’s go, Michael.” Serena stood up as she walked in small steps towards him.

Soon, the duo had arrived at the boutique store. Whilst Serena was trying on her wedding dress, Michael felt bored and walked away for a breather. Stopping at the balcony by a window, Michael lit a cigarette as he smoked away.

Two figures walked into the boutique store. His back against them, he did not know that these ladies were Christina and Ariel Grande.

The Blind Date Reality Show would be shot on the broadcasting station soon and Ariel wanted to pick a suitable gown for it. As she had to dress up for the show, she decided to bring Christina along for extra opinions.

Trying on a single strapped, backless dress, Ariel asked Christina, “Does this dress look nice on me, Christina?”

Christina gave a glance. “Looks good, but I don’t think it shows off your curves.” As Ariel had a petite body frame, tight, body con dresses would probably look better on her. Picking another dress, Christina said, “Try this one instead.”

Meanwhile, Serena had tried on the wedding dress and was walking out of the fitting room. Not being able to find Michael, she bumped into Christina and Ariel instead.

Startled to see one another, Ariel was the first one who got to her senses. A cold smile on her face, she bombed Serena with sarcasm. “Hey! Isn’t she that f*cking whore?”

Intentionally raising her voice, Ariel tried to grab people’s attention as customers looked over in their direction.

Serena’s face flushed and she wanted to hide her head in a hole. As the Mayor’s daughter, she was the decent lady who had been envied by all. It had been some time since someone had insulted her that way.

Ariel continued to bellow and Serena instantly felt the blood rush to her cheeks.

“Are you trying on a wedding dress? So the prick and the slut are now one big family eh? What are you doing swaggering around, you wh*re? Do you have no shame? ” Mockery was written all over Ariel’s face as she ridiculed Serena.

Serena had not been expecting to meet Christina and Ariel, nor she was expecting to be made fun of that way in public. She felt so small that all she wanted to do was to cover her face and run from the store.

Ariel blocked Serena from leaving. She was not planning to let Serena go that easily today. “Do you know that ruining someone’s family is a sin? Karma will hit you someday, you shameless woman!”

“That’s enough, Ariel.” Judging from Ariel’s temper, if Christina did not stop her, she would probably condemn Serena until she had lost all her reputation as a human being. Christina pulled her friend aside. “Let’s go go try on some other dresses.”

Ariel entered the fitting room just as Christina wished. Not wanting to face Serena, Christina turned and headed towards the washroom.

Serena stood rooted on the ground. The smile had been wiped out of her face and was now replaced with misery instead. With tears in her eyes, she looked around for Michael yet he was nowhere to be found. Ashamed, she did not know what to do but to hide in the fitting room.

Christina came out of the toilet only to find a tall man standing outside. His deep eyes stared back into hers without a single trace of warmth in them.

From the moment she saw Serena, Christina knew that she would bump into Michael too. Giving herself a light chuckle in self-mockery, she ignored him and walked past him.

Michael took a step to block her way as he stared dead into her eyes. “Why did you do this?”

“What do you mean?” Christina did not understand what he was trying to say.

“Why did you let your friend belittle my fiance?” His gaze was stone-cold as he interrogated the woman that stood in front of him.