CHAPTER 4- JULIAN IS MISSING

"There might be some misunderstanding; she might have gone somewhere for a short time." I said it with disdain.

"No, we've been looking for her for nearly two hours. We called her hairstylist and makeup artist, as well as her other friends and cousins, but she was nowhere to be found," Noah said, nervously.

How could Julian have gone missing? She was so excited about the wedding perhaps she might be planning some sort of prank. I went straight to Julian's room, thinking she might be hiding there.

As I entered the room, I saw Mrs Astor and other family members searching for Julian.

"Daisy, my child, did you see Julian? ” Mrs Astor said with tears in her eyes.

I just nodded in rejection.

While Mr. Astor and other houseworkers were desperately searching the entire house, they were also making calls and asking other people about Julian.

When I took up my phone and dialed her number, I found that it was turned off. I began looking near the bed and lamp table, thinking Julian might have left her phone here.

I came across a scrap of paper while searching.

'Dear mum and dad, I'm sorry to say this but I've run from my will. Don't search for me…It's a waste of time to look for me. I didn't want to get married in the first place itself.

regards Julian’

My hands began to tremble. I reached Mrs. Astor's and showed her the letter. Her entire body trembled as she read it and sat on the bed.

"James!! James!! Come here," she cried out to Mr. Astor.

Mr. James Astor dashed up to her and took the letter from her. He removed his glasses after reading the letter and sat beside Mrs James, reassuring her.

Mr. James was a wise and calculative man; he was much stronger mentally and emotionally than Mrs. James, and he prioritized her wife and his reputation above all else.

Some people in black suits ran towards the Astors with the unfortunate news that they couldn't find Julian.

Mrs. Astor sobbed as she asked Mr. James, “Now what will we do, James? If the Arison finds out, they will not leave us."

According to Noah, the Arison were the most powerful people not only in the country, but in the entire world. Even though they were the world's leading cooperation, they also had a royal bloodline, which made them exceptional.

Dylan Arison is now the only heir to the Arison family. Even though I initially assumed he was a soldier in the forces, Julian later informed me that he was the president of Astor's cooperation, and that after the wedding, he will completely inherit the Astor's group.

The entire world is watching the wedding, including the media, politicians, and major business figures, because they are all connected to Arison's Group. This is more than just a wedding; it is also the official announcement of Dylan as the heir to Astor's estate.

If this wedding fails, both Astor and Arison will suffer a greater loss.

"No, we cannot allow this to happen.. The Arinson’s are ruthless; they'll not only destroy us but also everyone we're currently working with," Mr. James stated solemnly.

"How can they do it? Julian is the one who has fled the wedding; why should we have to suffer?" Noah expressed his disbelief.

"Don't act as if you're unaware of this, Noah. This wedding is more of a collaboration between two families than it is between two people. Even your family will suffer if this wedding does not take place," James said coldly.

Noah couldn't help but remain silent.

"Oh god, now what will we do?!" Mrs. Astor cried as she said this.

Mr. James consoled Mrs. Astor with a sympathetic look. After a while, He looked at me and asked me to come closer after a long period of thought. I came and sat in the chair nearer to him.

"Daisy, my child, now only you can save us," Mr. James said.

Everyone, including Mrs. Astor, looked at me and Mr. James curiously.

"Uncle, what do you mean?" I asked, looking at him with the same expression.

"You have to marry Dylan instead of Julian now," Mr. James advised.

Everyone, including myself and Mrs. Astor, looked at me in disbelief.

"Not at all, Uncle. I can't; there might be some misunderstanding…Julian is probably pulling some pranks on us. You know how much she enjoys pranking people... She was so excited about the wedding that there could have been some confusion... I'm not going to do this to Julian."

I said it hurriedly.

"No, Julian cannot marry Dylan; that is ridiculous... We can explain the situation to Arison's; they'll understand."Noah spoke furiously.

"Yes, James, what nonsense are you talking about? We can still find Julian; she wouldn't have gone far," said Mrs. Astor in disbelief.

"There's only an hour left for the wedding, and don't be stupid Noah, you think the Arison's will understand... They'll first destroy your company, and then they'll ask you for an explanation," Mr. James said, shouting.

Everybody got quiet, and after an unknown time, Mrs. Astor spoke.

"I believe this is our only option. Please, Daisy, marry Dylan and save us. If you don't act now, we'll all go down." Mrs.Astor took my hands in hers and said it while crying.

Looking at Mrs. Astor's condition, I couldn't say anything and just moved my head from side to side,

"No, I can't marry him; Julian loves him. I can assure you that. I can't do this to her. I believe there is some confusion. Dylan and Julian are meant to be," I said, my voice shaking.

"Try to understand, Daisy. Julian will not return. They will not only destroy us if you do not marry Dylan, but they may even harm Julian. I'll make sure to convey Aster's as soon as the wedding is over. My wife and I have always treated you as our family. Isn't it true that we're a family? Please help us," Mr. James's voice was pleading.

Family... Julian, Mom and Dad, James and Lily Astor were indeed like a parent figure to me. Mr. and Mrs. Astor are very kind and down-to-earth people, despite being the richest and most famous people in the country. Mrs. Astor is like a second mother to me. I had never seen my mother in my life; All I had was a diary of her...so looking at Mrs Astor, I always assumed that this is how mothers are.

When my father remarried when I was 17, my stepmother insisted on sending me to boarding school. When I felt homesick and wanted to return to my house, my stepmom threatened to divorce my father.

As blinded by love, my father abandoned me and told me to stay.

When Julian found out, she immediately came over with her parents and took me to her house. I've been living with her ever since. My father or stepmother never tried to contact me again, and I didn't contact them either for the sake of their happiness and peace.

I left Julian's house as soon as I got the job, not because I wasn't comfortable there, it was the safest place on earth and Julian's parents made it feel like home to me, but because I wanted to do something on my own.

I still visit them during new years and Christmas; they treat me as if I were their own daughter, and I will be eternally grateful for everything Julian and her parents have done for me.

"So, what about Noah? We love each other." I turned to Noah and spoke.

"As Mr. James requested, Daisy, I believe you should. It'll be good for all of us," Noah's parents, Mr. and Mrs. Smith, both spoke up.

I turned away from them, helpless, and looked at Noah.

"Do you feel the same way, Noah? You don't want this, do you?” I said, sobbing.

Noah looked at his parents, who nodded, and then he looked at me with tears in his eyes.

"I believe Daisy you should do as they instructed... By doing so, all of us will be safe," Noah said helplessly.

My last hope in Noah shattered like a fragile glass. I am unsure of what to do now, but I am aware that if I don't take action, my family, the only ones left, will be destroyed.

I glanced at the surrounding people, noticing the hopeful gazes directed towards me. Disappointing them is not an option; I can't lose the only family I have right now.

"Okay, I'll do it," I said, bursting into tears.

Sorry, Julian, I couldn't convince them.

Mrs. Astor immediately hugged and thanked me. I glimpsed Noah leaving the room.

In no time, I was standing beside Mr. James, holding his hand in a wedding gown with a long veil that reached all the way to my chin.

"Don't worry; I'll explain it to Asters. I'll make sure they don't hurt you," Mr. James whispered.

In response, I nodded. And the wedding hall's doors opened... As I and Mr. James walked down the aisle, everyone began cheering.

Mrs. Astor and Noah's parents looked at me with assurance. I looked around the hall, my eyes welling up, but I couldn't find Noah.

I glimpsed through my netted veil at a tall figure in an expensive black tuxedo standing at the end of the aisle. Dylan was looking very attractive and elegant.

"Take good care of her," Mr. James said as he handed Dylan my hand as we approached the end of the aisle.

As the priest began the ceremony, I noticed Mr. James approaching Mr. Victor Aster, Dylan's father, and speaking to him. Mr. Victor looked at James with a surprised expression, and they both exited the wedding hall.

Looking at them made my hands tremble.

Then the priest announced that it was time for us to exchange the rings. Mrs. Astor grabbed my arm and handed me the ring. With trembling hands, I placed the ring on Dylan's hand.

Dylan frowned at me, and opened his mouth to say something, but Mr. Victor, who handed him the ring and whispered something in his ear, quickly stopped him.

He looked at him, surprised, but it only took him seconds to retrieve it—no one noticed—and then he placed the ring on my finger.

Following all the traditions, the priest declared, "Now that I pronounce you husband and wife, you may kiss the bride."

As soon as I heard it, my heart leapt in my chest. Dylan removed a portion of my veil and knelt down to kiss me. His eyes widened, and he paused when he looked at me.