Maia scanned her surroundings swiftly and sneered when she noticed nothing suspicious around them. She thus paced toward 'Ollie'. "You want to scare me off, huh? It's not going to be that easy! I'm going to beat some sense into you—"She came to a sudden halt when Miles took out a toy air gun from his pocket and began loading it with orange-colored bullets.Horror took over her features. "W…What are you doing, Ollie? L—Let's talk! We can live together peacefully, and I promise that I'll—""Bam!" Miles shot at Maia's heels.She barely dodged the bullet and bumped into the handrail as a result, which sent numbing pain up her arm."Wow, you look cool dodging the bullet!" Miles imitated the way cowboys on television would blow the smoke off the pipe and pouted. "Alas, you won't be so lucky after this."Bam! Bam! Bam!"He fired a few more shots. One for bullying Ollie, another for taking Cedrick away and hurting Catelyn in the process, and the last with wishes that she would remain w
Miles could hear his heart shattering into pieces as rage burned within him. 'He wants me to kneel and apologize to that woman? In his dreams!'...Silence fell over the house once Miles was taken to the black room.Maia suppressed the resentment boiling within her and got up elegantly from the ground. "Cedrick, I...think Ollie probably didn't do that on purpose. He just can't accept the fact that we are getting married, so that's why...""If you dare tell Aunt Janice about this, I'll make you regret that you were ever born," he snarled threateningly at the mention of marriage.He had wanted to settle the incident peacefully with Maia when he woke up that morning, but Janice coincidentally came to visit at the time. When she saw the mess on the ground and watched Maia run out of Cedrick's room in tears, she instantly realized what had happened and demanded justice from Cedrick.Cedrick did not intend on explaining himself. Although he was downright wasted and drunk, his body's re
Cedrick's eyes narrowed coldly. "Pick it up."Feeling humiliated, Maia retorted, "It's just a stupid ring!""I said, pick it up!" His tone grew hauntingly dark, and his features tightened in an intimidating manner.Feeling as though she was choked in a vice-like grip, Maia struggled to breathe. Her eyes reddened pathetically as she, admitting defeat, headed to pick up the ring. She held onto the ring so tightly that a mark in the shape of the ring formed on the palm of her hand.Cedrick took the ring from her hand and placed it back into the box.Unable to stomach how she was treated, Maia's face twisted with resentment. "Is this how you treat your soon-to-be wife?!""You can go and buy whatever you want. I'll send Alex with you to pay the bills."'How generous!' she scoffed inwardly. 'I'm from the Clark family, and I'm not asking for your money! All I want is your heart, and it can only be mine!'...Cedrick put the box back into the pocket in his suit jacket and strode into
Catelyn visibly relaxed at the sound of the familiar sweet voice.Ollie pursed his lips with a mature look that did not suit a child his age. 'Mom doesn't want to leave Father either, right?'...Two days later, all online platforms and all screens across every street were broadcasting the news of the union between the Mason and Clark families.Catelyn had thought that she would feel hurt when she learned the news, but she was unexpectedly calm and numb. After all, she had already bought her flight ticket and planned to leave Sapphire City on Cedrick's wedding day.'From now on, we're just strangers, Cedrick Mason,' she thought.Joanne came to the airport to send them off."Mom, are we really leaving Ollie?" Ollie clung onto Catelyn's leg innocently, trying to imitate Miles as best as he could.Catelyn struggled to suppress the sorrow within him and said, "Miles, I know that you don't want to part with Ollie as well, but...he's already made his choice. I promise that we'll snea
The message read...[Catelyn Clark, how dare you try to hide my child from me?]Chills ran down Catelyn's spine as her lips went numb."Did… Did Cedrick find out?" she gasped. "Did he take Miles away?"...The grand Victoria Hotel was booked by the Mason family for the wedding.Countless guests gathered in the building with important political figures at every corner. Camera shutters were unceasing, and the flower baskets were lined from the entrance to the end of the red carpet.Countless bodyguards stood on both sides of the walkway, standing meters away from one another while guarding the perimeter.The interior of the hotel was decorated with splendid lighting. The chandelier spun steadily, casting its light over every corner.All seniors of the Mason and Clark families stood by the entrance to greet the guests enthusiastically.Dressed in a full-black tuxedo, Cedrick stood next to the Mason family's elder expressionlessly. His brooding brows and dark features gave him a
Maia held the hem of her dress up and cast Richard a sidelong glance. "I thought you understood that our relationship was strictly physical. Besides, I told you that we're strangers if we meet outside. Why did you trouble yourself to come here, confronting me like this?"With that, she tried to leave, but Richard pulled her back by the arm. "Mai, can you not marry Cedrick Mason?"He held her close and propped his chin against her shoulder. The wedding dress had far too many layers for the hug to feel real to him, but he had to try his luck. He had to pour out his feelings on that single question.Maia struggled against his embrace but was concerned that she would wrinkle her dress. Thus, she took a deep breath before whispering gently, "Cedrick and I were supposed to get married four years ago. Richard, if you truly love me, let me go.""Miss, someone is coming..." reminded the servant.Maia anxiously tried to shove Richard away, but he could not bear to let her go.He dipped his
"Cedrick Mason, do you take Maia Clark to be your lawful wife? To have and to hold, from this day forward; for better or for worse; for richer or poorer; in sickness and in health; to love, respect, and protect her?"Cedrick listened quietly to the priest's cue…but he did not respond.Thinking that he had not heard the question, the priest repeated himself, but Cedrick simply remained silent and pursed his lips tightly.The smile on Maia's face slowly stiffened as she turned to look at him, wordlessly urging him to answer the question.Just then, a figure stormed through the entrance before he could say a word.With her back toward the light, her face was overshadowed. Everyone was stunned by her sudden appearance as they struggled to get a clearer look on her face.The next instant, what she said stirred the crowd."Cedrick Mason, where did you take my son? Give him back!"She slowly stepped onto the red carpet and into sight, her face becoming more distinct as she moved close
Catelyn had no intentions of backing out and stood her ground. "I'll leave after you return my son to me.""Alright, then. This is what you asked for." Cedrick's eyes were cold as ice.He then did something no one had expected—He took the brooch on his chest that said [Groom] off and tossed it into the wine glass on stage.Baddum!Without waiting for the guests to react, his deep, magnetic voice was heard announcing into the microphone."Thank you everyone for coming over to Maia and I's wedding. It is with deep regret for me to announce that the wedding today has been canceled."The hall was filled with clamor in an instance like a firework that had just exploded."What? Canceled?!""This woman must be the rumored mistress. She's here to ruin Master Cedrick's wedding!""I can't believe Master Cedrick would agree to it!""Did you notice that she's been mentioning a 'son'? Perhaps Young Master Ollie is her son, after all?"…Following the explosion of gasps and tattles, th