Chapter 2

"I agree. Claire is a perfect match for that useless, ugly man. They're both losers." Nancy exclaimed.

Claire looked between her father and her stepmother. "Are you going to sacrifice me just because Alex's family went bankrupt and he turned ugly?"

"Noah already left you. Do you think there's another man who would accept you? If there is, it's Alexander," Alice said, approaching Claire and speaking close to her face. That made Claire snort and turn her face away from Alice.

"The choice is yours, Claire. If you agree, I'll give you the money as soon as the wedding is over," Graham said.

Claire paused, wringing her hands at her sides.

She really needed the money for her mother, but... should she marry this ugly, broke man?

"Okay. I agree to marry Alex," Claire finally said.

Everyone was surprised and immediately smiled broadly.

"But I need to make sure that your word is good. I want you to send the money directly to the hospital and pay the bill in my mother's name," Claire continued.

She was afraid her father would go back on his word.

"Don't worry. I always keep my word," Graham replied.

Claire then turned to Noah, whose hand was still wrapped tightly around Alice's waist.

"You owe me fifty thousand dollars. You said you'd pay me back after you became CEO of your father's company. I hope you remember that."

Noah smiled dismissively. "Besides being poor, you're very calculating. But never mind. I'll definitely pay the money after I'm appointed CEO. Fifty thousand dollars is a very small amount to me, so don't worry."

"Good. I hope the words of a cowardly man like you can be kept," Claire said. Her eyes then turned to Alice. "Alice, please enjoy my ex-boyfriend. I didn't expect you to be so fond of collecting junk."

 Alice's mouth fell open. Even Noah and Nancy were taken aback. Their faces turned red as they stared at Claire's back as she walked toward the exit.

"You bastard! Did you see for yourself? Your eldest daughter has no manners! How could she say such a rude thing to Alice!"

As she walked out, Claire could hear her stepmother scolding her.

But she decided not to care and continued to walk away from the house.

***

Wedding Day...

Standing at the altar, Claire was ready in her white wedding dress, the length of which flowed down the back to sweep the floor.

She looked beautiful and elegant with her bun and veil covering her head.

Her sparkling eyes looked out at the guests. There were only about twenty people present. However, Claire saw no sign of her future husband's family.

"Wow, our bride-to-be can't wait to meet her future husband." Alice arrived with Noah.

Wearing a sexy red dress, Alice flanked Noah's arm and approached Claire.

Claire rolled her eyes. She knew Alice was going to insult her. 

"Claire, how does it feel to be married to a broke, ugly man?" Alice asked.

Then she laughed quietly with Noah.

"Where's Dad? I want to make sure he pays my mom's medical bills after the wedding." Claire changed the subject.

Alice shrugged. "I don't know. I stayed at Noah's last night, so I haven't seen Dad yet."

"Your wedding was very simple. Even the guests could be counted on one hand. That's a shame, Claire. Father didn't even bother to spend much money on his eldest daughter's wedding." Alice scoffed.

"That's none of your business! No matter how lavish the event, the goal is still the same, to get married!"

"You're right. But you must know one thing. Noah is going to give me a very lavish and unforgettable wedding reception. Right, baby?" Alice's eyes turned to Noah.

"That's right, baby. I'll do whatever makes you happy," Noah smiled back at Alice.

Claire snorted in annoyance, disgusted by the two of them pretending to be intimate in front of her.

Just then, the minister arrived with Graham and Nancy. They approached Claire at the altar.

"Excuse me, where's the groom?" the minister asked Graham and Claire.

Claire looked confused. Her eyes remained fixed on the entrance.

Graham's brow furrowed as the groom-to-be was already more than thirty minutes late.

"Maybe the groom isn't coming because he's embarrassed to show his ugly face," Alice said with a broad smile.

Claire lowered her eyes and pressed her fingers together.

She thought. If Alex didn't come, the wedding would be canceled and Claire wouldn't get the money.

"So the groom isn't coming?" the priest asked Claire.

"I guess so. I heard his face is disfigured, maybe that's why he's not confident enough to show his face in front of everyone," Alice replied again, smiling contentedly at Claire's worried face.

"Sorry, I was late." However, everyone immediately turned their heads towards the entrance when they heard a man's voice.

In the next second, their faces turned in surprise at the sight of a handsome man in a black tuxedo striding toward the altar.

Alice's jaw even dropped, her mouth open in shock.

"Who is this man?" Alice wondered.

His handsome face and tall, well-built body successfully caught the attention of the women there. Claire was no exception.

Claire felt it was the first time she had seen such a handsome man.

"I'm the groom-to-be. My name is Alexander Knight. Shall we begin the wedding blessing?" Alex asked the priest after standing in front of Claire.

Claire was stunned.

This handsome man in front of her was Alexander Knight? Her future husband?