Chapter 27 The Past Unveiled
“Yes,” Tyler picked up where Madam Langford left off. “I don’t care.”
Kara clutched her chest, feeling like the world had gone mad. Tyler wasn’t normal, and neither was Madam Langford. One married the nephew, the other married the uncle- what kind of mess was this? To make it worse, both sisters had once dated the same nephew, Chris. If this got out, how could she possibly show up in her high–society circle again?
Even if Tyler and the others didn’t care, she did. The generational lines were all blurred -how was anyone supposed to accept that?
“I can’t agree to this!” Kara exclaimed.
Madam Langford raised her brows. “Do I need your permission?”
“Kara, you’re Tyler’s sister–in–law,” Eleanor added with a laugh. “You think you can decide who he marries? I used to regard you as my mother–in–law, but I guess it’s ‘sister -in–law‘ now.”
Kara felt dizzy. She knew she had to inform her husband and father–in–law immediately -they had to stop this nonsense. Oh, and the Donovan family too. Linda was a proud woman; there’s no way she’d accept this.
“Hey Kara,” Eleanor stepped forward, smiling, “since we’ll be family soon, Chris will be my nephew as well. As his elder, I feel I should offer some advice. You might want to find a trustworthy doctor to check on his fiancée.”
Kara’s heart skipped a beat. She stared at Eleanor, demanding, “What are you implying?”
“Oh, nothing really. Just a friendly reminder,” Eleanor replied calmly. “After all, she’s carrying the fourth generation now–better safe than sorry. Wouldn’t want to get your hopes up for nothing.”
“Explain yourself!” Kara lunged forward, but Tyler shot her a glare so cold she froze in place.
“You’re a smart woman. Some things are better left unsaid. I’ve hinted enough.” Eleanor’s voice remained light. “Besides, today’s a happy occasion–let’s not spoil it. Whatever needs to be said, can wait till we’re home. Babies will come eventually,
anyway.”
A flicker of realization crossed Kara’s face. “You knew all along, didn’t
you, Eleanor?”
“I don’t know anything,” Eleanor said with a chuckle. “It’s getting late. We should head
down.”
Kara knew there could be no mistakes at this point. She tried to convince Madam Langford. “Martha, we can’t rush into Tyler’s wedding, Let’s discuss it more after we get home.”
Chapter 27 The Past Unveiled
Madam Langford’s face darkened. “Oh? Your son cheats and you feel no shame, but my son getting married is what’s ruining your reputation?”
“It’s not like that,” Kara glared at Eleanor and quickly supported Madam Langford.” Please, let me explain.”
Watching the two walk away, Eleanor shook her head and sighed. “If even your sister- in–law reacts like this, I can’t imagine what others will say. Tyler, I told you, let people think I was the one chasing after you would be better.”
“So troublesome,” Tyler remarked lightly.
“Really?” Eleanor said, “you’re not afraid of the gossip?”
“What’s there to be afraid of?” Tyler met her eyes. “I don’t care what others think. You married me, and I won’t let anyone mistreat you.”
“No one can mistreat me,” Eleanor answered calmly. “I only kept quiet before because I thought Chris liked docile girls. But now, if anyone dares cross me, I don’t have to stay silent anymore.”
“Good.” Tyler nodded. “That’s how it should be.”
By the time they arrived downstairs, the wedding had already begun. Serena walked down the aisle, her arm linked with Richard’s. Chris stood waiting at the front, a smile on his face and anticipation in his eyes.
“I’m entrusting my daughter to you,” Richard said as he handed Serena’s hand to Chris.
Chris took Serena’s hand. The emcee began recounting the couple’s love story, how hard it had been for them to finally end up together.
Serena’s gaze landed on Eleanor below the stage. She sneered and gave a soft cough. The emcee immediately pivoted. “The bride, Miss Farrell, would like to thank her sister, Eleanor. Though Eleanor once did something unforgivable to her, it was precisely because of her that she found true love. And true love doesn’t change because of anything.”
All eyes turned to Eleanor. Some were sympathetic, others gleefully watching the drama unfold.
Arms crossed, Eleanor sat unfazed, looking like she was thoroughly enjoying the show. “In fact,” the emcee continued, “our bride and groom first met when they were young. Let’s take a look at their heartfelt messages to each other.”
The screen behind the stage lit up–but instead of sweet messages, a series of videos popped up.
“This is the deposit. Just take care of the woman in the photo, and you’ll get the rest,” said Serena in the video.
7
Serena’s smile froze. She spun around in horror–what was playing on screen was footage of her dealing with a group of thugs. She had no idea they had secretly
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Chapter 27 The Past Unveiled
recorded her. And how Tyler had gotten his hands on the video? She had no clue. But if it was being shown now, he had to be behind it.
Eleanor. Serena clenched her fists. It had to be Eleanor who convinced Tyler to do this.
“There’s no one here. You playing us?” a guy in the footage started heckling.
“How would I know she’d disappear? Either way, the job’s not done. I want my money back,” answered Serena.
“You wasted our time and want a refund? Fine. Guys, this one’s not bad either,” the man sneered, his laughter echoing in the hall.
This was Serena’s nightmare. It was all Eleanor’s fault, and Serena believed she herself was the only victim. But now, her secrets were broadcasted to everyone.
Chris stared at the screen in disbelief, slowly turning to Serena, “What is this?”
Serena’s face turned ghostly white. “I–I don’t know. It’s fake. All of it!”
The footage shifted. At the Donovan mansion, Chris had Serena pinned against a wall, passionately kissing her. Just when things were heating up, Eleanor’s voice cut in, What are you two doing?”
“Exactly what you’ve seen, Chris rolled his eyes.
“I’m sorry, Eleanor,” this was Serena’s voice. “I love Chris. After everything you did to me, can’t you just let me have him?”
Seeing the footage, Serena’s eyes widened in terror. The bouquet in her hands fell to the floor. She trembled, grabbing Chris’s arm. “Chris, this is all Eleanor’s doing,” she almost screamed. “It’s her trap!”
The screen changed again. Serena, no longer the meek girl, pointed at Eleanor with arrogance. “That’s right. I hired people to assault you,” she said. “You just got lucky and escaped. Why should I be the one to pay for it? Eleanor, I’m going to take everything from you!”
“If she weren’t Tyler’s little leverage, you think I’d be dating her? Agreeing to marry her was just a temporary move. That’s all she’ll get–my last name. Anything else? She can keep dreaming,” came Chris’s voice.
Another voice–clearly edited–followed, “Does Chris love Eleanor? Of course not. Why else would he be changing girlfriends all the time? But Eleanor treated him well. She studied traditional medicine for him, memorized all kinds of herbs. Even when he kept switching partners, she never said a word. Honestly, I wasn’t surprised when they broke up. We warned him/not to go too far. But he never listened.”
The room erupted. “I heard if Chris–married Eleanor, he’d get a stake in the Langford Group,” one said. “So he used her to climb the ladder? What a jerk.”
Chris’s face twisted in anger. He roared. “Who’s in charge of this? Shut it down!”
The hotel manager looked distressed. “We can’t, Mr. Chris. Our system’s been hacked.
We’ve tried everything
“Then pull the plug! Chris shouted
After a round of chaos, they finally managed to cut the power Serena was already
speechless. She clung to Chris’s arm
“Chris, please believe me, she begged “It’s not what it looks like
Chris clenched his fists and suddenly out of nowhere he grabbed the mic and roared. “Eleanor! You think faking a video will thakë me take you back?”
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