Chapter 5: Post Ciel’s Revelation.

The whole room was in a complete silence as Derek and Devian tried to process what Ciel just said. The expected groom was supposed to be crippled, not this tall and confident man, who is clearly in control of the situation at the moment.

Roxanne is also shocked. Not only is Ciel Sebastien not disabled, but he is also the same mysterious “Pretty boy” from the bar the previous night. Her heart raced with conflicting emotions ranging from disbelief, confusion, and embarrassment.

Derek’s face turns pale instantly as soon as he realizes his mistake. He had thought the expected groom would be a crippled, powerless man. Now, he is looking at an imposing and powerful man who clearly does not appear like someone to be taken lightly.

Ciel moves forward as he addressed Derek coldly.

“So, Mr. Renwick, tell me, you were saying something about your Son in law?” His voice is calm, but it unsettles Derek.

Derek tried to talk, in a bid to regain control. “There…there must have been some mistake! We were told that….”

“Told what, exactly? That I was unsuitable for marriage?” Ciel tilts his head slightly, his silver eyes gleaming with amusement.

Derek opened his mouth but no words came out. The aura of Ciel’s presence was choking.

Just then, a voice rang out from the door.

“Wait, wait, what did I just hear?!”

Reina strode into the room with a smug smirk on her lips. She had come to taunt Roxanne as usual. Instead, she met a situation where it appears her father was about to collapse, and Devian is still kneeling on the floor, holding his twisted arms.

Her eyes fell on Ciel, who was standing with an air of confidence in the center of the room. The handsome man she was supposed to marry, but according to her family, was a supposed cripple.

“And you must be the other daughter. The one who was supposed to be my wife.”  Ciel said with a casual tone as he turns to face Reina, but everyone can notice the amusement in it.

Reina looked at him in disbelief and panic.

“Wait…wait, you are…Ciel Sebastien?” She asked.

Realization dawned on her and for the first time in her life, she is truly speechless. Her plan to taunt and mock her step sister was crushed instantly.

She had spent the past few days laughing at her sister for being forced into a marriage with a crippled billionaire, only to find out now that the man is anything but crippled.

She quickly recoverd from her shock, trying to put on an air of arrogance.

“Well, I suppose everything turned out well, then. You were almost married to the wrong sister, but maybe, that was fate.

She moves closely to Ciel, putting on her most seductive smile.

“But we can always correct that mistake, right? You deserve the best, after all.”

She tries to touch him.

But before she could say Jack, Ciel catches her hand mid air, his grip not so rough.

“I don't appreciate being touched by just anyone,” he says with a smooth voice.

Reina gasps, as she pulls her hand back. Her act was shattered. It was then she realizes she is dealing with a man completely out of her league.

Before she could recover, the doors opened again. Evelyn rushes in, she had been clearly called by someone, possibly Derek, who was in a state of panic.

She assesses the situation in the room, as he takes in her husband's horrified expression, her daughter's frozen stance, and the powerful aura oozing from Ciel Sebastien.

Unlike her daughter, Evelyn was able to quickly mask her shock. She instantly put on her mostly motherly expression and moves towards Ciel with a polite, almost pleading smile.

“Oh, my dear son in law, I am so sorry for all the confusion. You must understand, this was all a big misunderstanding!.”

Ciel raises an eyebrow at her but says nothing.

She continues, her tone changing into complete manipulation mode. “You see, our precious Reina was meant to be your wife, but there was a mix up. I am sure we can fix things and give you the bride you were promised.”

She looked at Roxanne with disgust. “I am sure Roxanne understands as well that this was just a small mistake. She wouldn't want to hold you back when you deserve someone better, right, dear?”

She gives Roxanne a look that says know your place.

Roxanne clenches her first together, as anger boiled insider her. she was trying to throw her aside like trash again.

But before she could say anything, Ciel laughs. It's a deep and rich sound that echoes through the room, making everyone confused.

“A mistake?” He said as he steps forward a bit. “So let me get this straight, Mrs Renwick. Your family tricked mine. You deceived my parents into believing your perfect daughter would marry me, only to change to Roxanne at the last minute. And now that the truth is obvious, you think you can just undo it?”

The smile on Evelyn's face disappeared. “W-well, it was not exactly like that…”

“Oh, I think it was exactly like that.” he cuts her off. He then turns to Roxanne with a soft gaze. “And tell me, my dear wife, do you want to give up your position so easily?”

Roxanne was caught off guard and swallows hard. She knows what Evelyn expects her to say, what she has always been forced to do.

But something seems different now. Something has changed. Maybe it's the way Ciel is looking her, making her have a choice for once.

She straightens her back as she prepares to answer. “No, I don't want to.”

Evelyn's eyes widen in surprise. “You ungrateful spoilt brat! After everything we have done for you…”

“Careful, Mrs Renwick. That “spoilt brat” is now my wife. And in case you are not aware, I do not take lightly to anyone messing with what's mine.” Ciel cuts her short again.

The entire room feels like it's choking under his authority.

Evelyn grits her teeth, as she tried to hold back her anger. She knows she has lost, for now but she will not let Roxanne win so easily.

As she looked at her daughter, an unspoken agreement is made between them.

If they can't correct the situation now, they will find another way.

They will surely make Roxanne regret this marriage.