Chapter 7
From Ronald’s recollections, I pieced together the story of my bold act at a dinner party three years ago.
A portly man with a large head made an inappropriate move toward a girl, and I noticed it.
Instinctively, I emptied my glass of wine onto his face.
The man then threatened to cut ties with the Caide family, but I stood my ground and refused to apologize.
It was a minor incident that I would have forgotten if Ronald hadn’t brought it up.
Unbeknownst to me, he had been there, quietly observing everything.
“If your father insists on marrying your stepsister into the family this year, I’ll call off the engagement,” Ronald said earnestly, looking directly at me.
“I never thought I would have the chance to wait for you, Lilianna.”
The overwhelming rush of love hit me unexpectedly.
Ronald explained that because it was me who came, he couldn’t keep postponing any longer.
He looked a bit sad. “Let’s have a wedding without the marriage certificate. You’ll inherit half of my assets as my wife. Is that alright?”
His eyes were so genuine and his thoughtfulness so complete that I couldn’t say no.
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The wedding preparations began smoothly.
The Hachett family’s wealth and influence made it easy to organize a private ceremony.
Everything, from the wedding dress to the decoration of the venue, came from top international brands.
On the wedding day, Caleb’s eyes were filled with tears as he watched Ronald and me slowly enter the church.
The pastor earnestly inquired if we were ready to remain together through life’s challenges, in both sickness and health, and never part from one another.
As soon as I said, “I do,” someone unexpectedly burst into the church— it was Jacob.
He appeared weary from travel and confidently walked inside.
“I disagree!” he declared, stepping forward and taking my hand firmly.
“Lilianna, I’ve come to take you away. Don’t marry this dying man!”
Although the wedding was a small affair, Jacob’s sudden interruption caused a significant disturbance.
Caleb glared at Jacob with intensity and furiously exclaimed, “Who is this lunatic? How dare you disrupt a Hachett family wedding!”
Instantly, two lines of bodyguards intervened, restraining Jacob securely.
His head was pressed against the ground, yet he continued to struggle and shout desperately.
“Lilianna, I’m the one you love the most. How could you marry
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someone else?” He cried.
“Look at what I’m wearing–the clothes and this lucky charm you gave me.”
His irrational behavior was giving me a headache.
Before I could respond, Ronald gently squeezed my hand.
Though the gesture was soft, his voice was icy.
He calmly asked, “Lilianna, is this the person who harassed you back in the country?”
Despite his composed tone, there was a terrifying power beneath it, as if he could strip someone of their very being.
Since arriving at Hachett Manor, this was the first time I felt the overwhelming and invisible force radiating from the second leader of the Hachett family.
He gestured to the bodyguards.
“Teach him a lesson, but make sure he survives,” he instructed.
Jacob was forcibly removed, his cries of agony echoing faintly in the background of the wedding like a distant soundtrack.
The ceremony carried on.
This time, I didn’t hesitate when I said, “I do.”
Ronald embraced–me warmly.
“Lilianna, my dream has finally come true. You are now my wife.”
I returned his hug and whispered in his ear, “I am truly willing.”
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Ronald’s body momentarily tensed.
He softly kissed my cheek.
The day after the wedding, Ronald took me to visit Jacob.
In the pitch–dark room, the lights flickered on as we entered.
Jacob, chained to the iron rack, recoiled and stepped back, unaccustomed to the sudden brightness.
When he realized it was me, he trembled and called out my name. “Lilianna, will you come back with me? I’m actually from a well- known family. Let’s return together and get married, alright? Didn’t you once want me to marry you more than anything?”
I shook my head with a faint smile and replied, “No.”
Jacob’s expression became frozen.
“Why? Do you prefer that disabled man in a wheelchair?”
I stepped closer to him.
Jacob’s smile returned, but with all the wounds on his face, it looked rather absurd.
“Lilianna, I know deep down you still love me the most…”
I cut him off with a slap.
“Who gave you the right to insult my husband in my presence?”
I had always been bold and free–spirited since childhood.
Because of my feelings for Jacob over the past three years, I almost lost myself.
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But since coming here, with Ronald’s patience and support, I have slowly rediscovered the old Lilianna.
Ronald’s voice echoed faintly, carrying the weight of a ruler from the underworld.
“Jacob, does being from the Gu family even matter? If you die here today, do you really think your father will clash with the Hachett family over an illegitimate son abandoned overseas?”
Jacob and I were both shocked upon hearing this revelation.
“How do you know…” Jacob’s voice faded.
It was the first time I learned about this twist in his identity.
I let out a cold sneer.
“Jacob, no wonder you and Eva get along. An illegitimate daughter and an illegitimate son–a perfect pair.”
“No, Lilianna,” Jacob shook his head desperately. “I don’t like Eva anymore. I was fooled by her innocent act. Please, come back to me. Let’s be together again, okay?”
His voice was almost begging.
But then, Ronald’s knife landed on Jacob’s shoulder with precision.
Ronald’s face remained calm, resembling a fearsome figure in the dim
room.
“Jacob, who gave you the nerve to desire my wife in front of me?”
