Chapter 3

The moment the words left his mouth, the entire hall erupted.

“What?! He paid someone to stand in for him at his own wedding?!”

“Oh my God, has Mason lost his mind? This is humiliating the Wills family in front of everyone!”

Exposed on the spot, William and Grace’s faces drained of all color.

My father’s anger finally exploded. He pointed straight at William and shouted, “Unbelievable. Absolutely unbelievable. Treating my daughter’s wedding like some kind of joke.

“Have you no shame at all? Do you really think the Wills family has no one to stand up for her?!”

My mother’s eyes reddened with fury as she hurried onto the stage, pulling me protectively behind her. She looked at the Rivers family and said coldly, “This wedding is off. From this moment on, the Wills family has nothing to do with the Rivers family.”

Seeing the alliance about to collapse, Grace panicked.

“Yuna, Mason was just being immature. I’ll call him right now and have him come back to apologize to you.”

I let out a soft, mocking laugh. “Sure. I’ll give him one more chance. If you can reach him right now, I’ll pretend none of this ever happened.”

Beside me, Edwin’s grip on my hand tightened slightly. I leaned closer and murmured, “Don’t worry. He’s not coming back.”

Like someone clinging to her last lifeline, Grace frantically pulled out her phone and started dialing Mason’s number.

Once. Twice. Three times…

Each time, the same cold automated voice echoed from the receiver: “Sorry, the number you have dialed is currently unavailable.”

I lowered my gaze, feigning disappointment. “Looks like Mr. Rivers has no intention of coming back.

“Security. Please escort the unrelated parties out.”

William and Grace were quickly pulled away by security, while reporters surged forward, cameras flashing inches from their faces.

My mother held my hand tightly, asking no questions. “Yuna, whatever you decide, your father and I will support you.”

My father gave my shoulder a firm pat. Warmth surged through me, and for a moment, I nearly broke down.

A comment drifted across my vision.

[In the original story, Yuna insisted on marrying Mason, cut ties with her family, and in the end, he drove the Wills family into bankruptcy.

[Her parents aged overnight… and ended their life together. Seeing this now actually makes me want to cry.]

I lowered my head, hiding the emotion in my eyes. If they chose to be ruthless, then they couldn’t blame me for doing the same.

After the ceremony ended, I immediately called my executive assistant.

“Terminate all cooperation with the Rivers family at once and pull every dollar we’ve invested. Leave nothing behind.”

The news that I had swapped grooms on the spot and married Edwin didn’t spread right away.

The Rivers family suppressed it, trying to keep their stock from crashing.

The moment the wedding ended, Edwin and I rushed to get our marriage license. Right after, he said he had to go overseas for a few days.

Meanwhile, completely in the dark, Mason spent two carefree days at a villa on the outskirts of the city with Joyce before finally sensing something was off.

By now, I should’ve already made a scene and forced him to come back, but I hadn’t taken any action.

Mason absentmindedly scrolled through his phone, not even responding when Joyce called his name.

“This isn’t right. Yuna’s just playing hard to get,” he scoffed, tossing his phone aside.

Joyce tested the waters carefully. “Mason, do you think Yuna’s really upset? Maybe you should go back and smooth things over. It’s not worth offending the Wills family because of me…”

“Apologize to her? She’s not worth it.” Mason lifted her chin, his expression full of arrogance.

“She’s hopelessly in love with me. She can’t walk away from our twenty years of history.

“I’d bet in less than three days, she’ll come running back with funding, begging me to marry her. I’ve been too soft on her.”

Right then, a comment drifted across the screen.

[I’m dying. Does this guy even have a brain? He still doesn’t know the Wills family already pulled their investment. The Rivers Group is about to crash and burn.]

[Man, your whole house is on fire and you’re still sitting there feeling proud.]