Chapter 116
Serena was startled by Chris’s sudden grip. “Chris, you’re hurting me. What’s going on with you?”
Realizing he’d lost his cool, Chris let go of her.
“Chris, seriously, what’s gotten into you?” Serena whispered. “Why are you so worked up? Are you actually regretting our marriage? Men are unbelievable–you never appreciate what you have, but the second it’s not yours, you can’t stop thinking about it.”
Chris frowned. “Don’t get the wrong idea.”
“How am I supposed to not get the wrong idea?” Serena shot back. “Ever since we got married, every time you see her, you totally space out. I’ve noticed it every single time, even if I never said anything.”
“I’m not-” Chris tried to explain, but the moment he saw Eleanor step out in her white wedding dress, he just froze, completely speechless.
Eleanor had always been beautiful and elegant, but in that silk dress with her flawless makeup, she looked like she’d just stepped out of a painting–ne one could take their eyes off her.
Gasps of amazement rippled through the crowd. “So that’s Miss Donovan. She’s even more beautiful in person than the rumors say.”
“I heard her wedding dress is super elaborate. It’s crafted from the finest silk. Each bead and crystal was meticulously placed by hand.”
Seeing Chris completely stunned and hearing all the compliments, Serena couldn’t help but derogate it on purpose, “So what if she looks amazing? That dress was ordered years ago–who knows who it was really meant for? If it was for Eleanor, wow, Chris, looks like you got played.”
A stylish girl who knew Chris chimed in, “You’re the other woman, so maybe keep your mouth shut. Everyone knows how Eleanor loved Chris. We’re not blind. We just didn’t want to talk about it.”
Chris’s face turned bright red. He grabbed Serena’s hand and whispered, “Can you just stop talking?”
Serena shot back, “Am I wrong? If that dress was for Eleanor, then what are you? And if it wasn’t, she is just a stand–in. What’s there to be happy about?”
After hearing the girl’s words, the people around started to get the picture, and they turned to stare at Serena as she kept going.
“Enough.” Chris squeezed Serena’s hand hard. “It’s Tyler’s big day. Why are you saying all this?”
“I’m just saying, you deserve better-”
A blaring trumpet suddenly pierced the air, its notes cutting Serena off mid–sentence.
Serena winced, clapping her hands over her ears, her face full of disdain. “What is this noise? Weddings should play something elegant. This is just embarrassing.”
Chris noticed everyone turning to stare at them again, and he wished he could just clamp a hand over Serena’s mouth to stop her from saying anything
else.
Someone nearby snickered, “Unnurtured bumpkin.”
Another girl chimed in, “Oh, Iremember her now! That’s Serena–the Donovans‘ adopted daughter, the driver’s kid. The only reason the Donovan family took her in was out of pity. But let’s be real, a stray living in a palace is still just a stray.”
Serena bit down on her lip, stung by the reminder of her humble background. She was so done with being looked down on. What was the point of having a good heart? No one cared if you were kind–they only judged you by your status, your money, and whether you had any power. That’s all that matters
to them.
She turned to Chris, her voice low. “Chris, if they look down on me, they’re looking down on the whole Langford family.”
Chapter 116
She thought that bringing up the Langford name would finally shut everyone up, but instead, she just heard a wave of mocking laughter.
Chris’s face darkened even more.
“Everyone, I’m the master of ceremonies for today’s wedding.” Thankfully, the master of ceremonies’s voice pulled everyone’s attention away
Before Chris and Serena could breathe a sigh of relief, the master of ceremonies lifted the trumpet and said, “I am a trumpet player, and I’m really grateful to Mr. Langford for giving me this chance to play.”
As he said that, Serena could feel a few more people glancing her way, some even snickering.
Serena couldn’t take it anymore and was about to say something, but Chris grabbed her arm. “If you mess up Tyler’s wedding and he gets mad, what if he kicks us out of the Langford family?”
Serena glared at Chris. She thought she’d married into money, but her husband turned out to be totally useless!
“The groom told me,” the master of ceremonies continued. “The wedding dress the bride is wearing was custom–made by him three years ago for his future wife. And now, three years later, Miss Donovan has come into Mr. Tyler’s life and become the owner of this dress that was waiting for its bride. That’s fate. Alright, let’s begin the ceremony.”
Serena felt everyone’s mocking eyes on her again. The ridicule was so thick she could barely breathe–every extra second here was suffocating.
‘Why doesn’t Eleanor just drop dead?‘ Serena cursed silently, shooting Eleanor a vicious glare. If Eleanor was standing there, it meant Ethan had failed. He claimed he cared about her, but he couldn’t even handle this one simple thing!
“Chris, I want to go for a walk,” she whispered.
“Okay,” Chris replied. “Don’t go too far.”
Even as he spoke, he kept his eyes fixed straight ahead. Seeing that only made the hatred on Serena’s face burn even hotter.
Serena stepped into a quiet clearing and tried calling Ethan, but his phone was switched off.
“I can see he can’t go through with it because she’s his own daughter,” Serena muttered under her breath.
With a stormy look, she walked back to Chris, only to find him still focused on the ceremony, which made her even more annoyed.
Eleanor had appeared at the end of the aisle. She was escorted by Sir Langford, who had stepped in to support her in place of Ethan. Sir Langford gently took Eleanor’s arm, and together they walked down the aisle. Linda followed behind, all smilingly.
The master of ceremonies warmly welcomed everyone and introduced the couple.
As Sir Langford reached the altar, he gently handed Eleanor over to Linda. “Eleanor, we are so honored to have you join our family,” he said with sincerity. Linda then took Eleanor’s hand and handed it to Tyler.
The couple then exchanged rings, each reciting their vows.
The master of ceremonies then declares, “By the power vested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now kiss your bride.”
So they kissed, and the guests erupted in applause. After the master of ceremonies‘ declaration, Sir Langford stepped forward and offered his word to Tyler.
“In the Langford family, we treat our wives well. If you mistreat your wife, fortune will never come your way. Cherish and protect Eleanor always. I believe together you will create a legacy of love and prosperity.” “I’ll always remember your words, Grandpa,” Tyler said, exchanging a smile with Eleanor.
Then there was the dance. After the dance, they moved to the reception area for a lavish banquet
After toasting the guests, Eleanor finally had a rest in the lounge, where their wedding gifts piled up.
Chapter 116
She fingered the gift boxes. “What a happy wedding! But when disaster strikes, even a couple will go their separate ways?
As soon as she finished, she heard someone cough at the door. Tyler was standing there, his voice cool, “What did you just say?
