Chapter 5
Marcus’s expression changed dramatically. “What? Impossible! I was supposed to be today’s groom!
“Zoe,” he suddenly softened his tone, “Are you still mad at me? As long as you stop making things difficult for Stella, I promise I’ll marry you…”
I cut him off with a cold laugh. “I already told you, you’re not the person I want to marry.”
“Impossible!” He suddenly raised his voice, trembling. “All these years you’ve been chasing after me, saying you wanted to marry me!”
His gaze turned to Ryan, filled with contempt. “Just to piss me off, you actually found a cripple.”
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“Marcus!” I shouted sternly. “Watch your words. This is the future head of the Mitchell family, he is not someone you can insult!”
His expression twisted almost grotesquely. “How could you… how could you marry him!”
I took the microphone from the emcee, my voice carrying clearly throughout the banquet hall. “Thank you all, uncles and elders, for attending Ryan and my wedding. Here, I need to clarify something…”
My gaze swept over Marcus’s pale face. “Mr. Aldridge seems to be suffering from delusions, constantly spreading rumors about marrying me and even maliciously destroying my business ventures.
“If anyone here thinks he’s right, then from now on, there’s no need to have any dealings with the Carrigan family anymore.”
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The banquet hall immediately buzzed with discussion.
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“Ms. Carrigan must be joking! How can he be considered the heir of the Aldridge family?”
“Who doesn’t know his mother was a mistress who went crazy after being driven away by the wife!”
“We just showed him respect out of politeness because he’s decent- looking, but he actually took it seriously!”
I watched the crowd’s reaction with satisfaction and continued, “Also, on the day we drew lots, Marcus wasn’t even on the candidate list. And furthermore…”
I pressed play on my phone, and Marcus’s recorded phone call revealing Stella’s pregnancy echoed clearly throughout the banquet hall.
“Typical spawn of a mistress!”
“Getting someone pregnant before even getting married, how disgusting!”
Marcus tried to rush forward, but security immediately grabbed him and dragged him out. Stella covered her face and fled in shame under everyone’s contemptuous stares.
I elegantly smoothed my dress and returned to Ryan’s side. “Now, we can continue with the wedding.”
After the wedding ended, I returned with Ryan to the Mitchell’s residence. He sat upright in his wheelchair, his well–tailored suit making him look particularly distinguished.
In the evening, Ryan’s grandmother called me to the side hall.
The elderly woman’s wrinkled hands trembled slightly. “Zoe, Ryan hasn’t
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Chapter 5
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been easy. He was harmed while still in the womb. Back then, someone coveted our family’s secret medicine formula and deliberately poisoned his mother…”
Her voice choked up. “That child was born with health problems, so if you…”
“Grandma,” I interrupted gently, holding her trembling hands, “Ryan is wonderful.”
I returned to my bedroom thoughtfully. He sat at the desk, his back straight and tense.
I couldn’t help but chuckle softly. “So nervous?”
He lowered his eyes, his voice low and hoarse. “I’ve put you through so much.”
I walked straight forward, my fingertips touching his tie. “Ryan, I truly wanted to marry you.”
Feeling his stiffness, I slowly untied his tie. “Let me look at you, okay?”
His Adam’s apple bobbed, but he didn’t refuse.
When his suit jacket slipped off and my fingertips touched his burning skin, he suddenly gripped my wrist. “Zoe, I…”
“Shh.” I leaned down and kissed his lips, feeling his whole body tremble.
That night, I gave him all my tenderness.
When morning light filtered through the curtains, I noticed the silver mask beside the pillow.
After gently removing it, I couldn’t help but hold my breath.
