2

"Have you found out who did this yet?"

Liam Martin's usually warm, handsome face was now shrouded in a heavy gloom—cold, sharp, like the calm before a storm.

At twenty-four, Liam Martin had spent six years climbing to the position of CEO, reclaiming what was once his and becoming the youngest and most accomplished executive in New York City.

Looking at the scars—old and new—that covered Sara Jay's body, Liam Martin felt both pity and rage. Who dared to harm her like this? They were asking for death.

His subordinate kept his head low, not daring to meet Liam Martin's eyes. "Secretary Sara is investigating. I'm sure we'll have answers soon."

If Chloe Bishop were here, she would realize that everything was unfolding exactly as her nightmare had foretold.

Since Brandon Jay was already on it, Liam Martin didn't press further.

He carefully took Sara Jay's hand, afraid of hurting her. His gaze lingered on her swollen face—beyond the heartache, there was also a quiet relief at having her back.

Marcus Martin had said she was dead. He never expected her to still be alive—and lying right before him...

"Sara!"

Liam Martin called out softly.

It was a tenderness that Chloe Bishop had never once felt in nine years.

In the car accident that took his parents and half his leg, it was Sara Jay who stayed by his side through the darkest, most desperate days.

He had wanted to die. She pulled him back. In his cold, desolate world, she lit a single candle and showed him light and warmth again.

But good things never lasted. Half a year later, his uncle Marcus Martin imprisoned Sara Jay, using her as leverage against both Liam Martin and Brandon Jay.

From that day on, Liam Martin never saw her again.

Aside from the occasional photos Marcus Martin sent over the years, Liam Martin knew nothing of Sara Jay's fate—where she was, what she endured.

Then, at Chloe Bishop's birthday banquet, she chose him. With the Bishop family's influence, he rose quietly, broke free from Marcus Martin's control, and secretly took over many of his businesses.

Enraged, Marcus Martin sent Liam Martin a photo of Sara Jay—a knife in her chest, collapsed in a pool of blood—and told him she was dead.

Liam Martin and Brandon Jay were devastated. They struck back fiercely and finally drove Marcus Martin into a corner.

When Marcus Martin was imprisoned, he admitted to Liam Martin in person: he had killed Sara Jay.

Liam Martin's heart died that day. He agreed to Charles Bishop's push for marriage.

He had already failed Sara Jay. He couldn't fail Chloe Bishop too.

But now, Liam Martin had already cast Chloe Bishop from his mind. He held Sara Jay's hand gently in his own. "Sara. I will never leave you again. And I will never let anyone hurt you."

It was a man's promise.

No one could ever replace her in his heart—not even Chloe Bishop, who had stood by him for six years.

Sara Jay slept deeply, like a tranquil sleeping beauty.

The man standing in the study opened his mouth several times, then stopped.

Today was Mr. Martin and Miss Bishop's wedding day—but it seemed Mr. Martin had completely forgotten. He still hadn't changed.

Finally, the trembling subordinate outside the door gathered the courage to speak. "Mr. Martin... it's almost time. You should get dressed and go pick up the bride."

Liam Martin didn't seem to hear him. He sat motionless by the bed.

The subordinate wisely fell silent. He didn't have the nerve to say it again.

After a long while, Liam Martin finally stood. "Get my clothes."

An hour later, the wedding convoy appeared at the intersection outside the Bishop family villa. Dozens of luxury cars stretched out in a single line—an impressive sight.

All of Chloe Bishop's friends and family had arrived. The entire Bishop household was filled with laughter and joy, overflowing with celebration.

"They're here! The wedding cars are here!"

Cheers drifted up from downstairs.

Dressed in her exquisite bridal gown, Chloe Bishop threw caution to the wind and hurried to the balcony. She watched as the main wedding car slowly pulled up outside the gate.

Her mother's stern voice rang out from inside. "Chloe, come back and sit down properly. That's bad luck."

"Just one look."

Chloe Bishop held up a slender finger and gave her mother a playful wink.

Her mother frowned. "No!"

Seeing her mother's stern face, Chloe Bishop dropped her smile and reluctantly walked back inside.

"You!"

Her mother tapped her on the forehead. "Stay put. Your father and I will go down first."

She turned to Chloe Bishop's bridesmaids and added sternly, "When Liam Martin comes up, lock the door tight. Don't let her have her way. No opening the door before the auspicious hour, do you hear me?"

When it came to Liam Martin, Chloe Bishop had never been able to hold her ground.

Chloe Bishop laughed playfully. "Don't worry, Mother. This time, I'll listen to you."

From the very first time she saw that young man in white all those years ago, she had fallen—and no one else had ever caught her eye. She had waited all these years; she could wait another half hour.

Listening to the festive firecrackers outside, Chloe Bishop gazed at her reflection in the mirror and smiled with pure happiness. "Liam. I'm finally going to marry you."

She had waited for this day for so, so long.

Outside the Bishop villa, Liam Martin stepped out of the main wedding car with long, steady strides.

He wore a white suit, his features sharp and handsome, his bearing refined. His tall figure stood before the car, so perfect that people almost forgot about his disability.

Amidst the praise and laughter, Liam Martin led the wedding party toward the Bishop residence. Then his phone rang.

It was Brandon Jay. The investigation must have yielded results.

Liam Martin answered. "Brandon."

Brandon Jay's voice came through, darker and heavier than usual. "We found the mastermind behind what happened to Sara."

"Who is it?"

Straight ahead, Charles Bishop and his wife were walking toward him with warm smiles.

They looked at the tall, graceful young man before them—elegant as polished jade—and felt nothing but satisfaction. A son-in-law couldn't be more perfect.

Brandon Jay said, "It's Charles Bishop. Sara has been imprisoned in the Bishop family's old estate all along. And Marcus Martin—he was the one who sent him away."

Liam Martin's pupils contracted sharply. The warmth in his eyes was replaced by frost and ice. His usual gentleness vanished completely.

His voice held no trace of warmth. "Are you sure?"

Brandon Jay answered with certainty. "I'm sure."

Liam Martin's hand dropped to his side. He watched the Bishop couple approaching him, and a cold, mocking smile curled at the corner of his mouth. So be it. Then I don't need to feel guilty about what I'm about to do.

He had planned to explain things to Chloe Bishop himself. But now—he didn't want to say a word. She had known about Sara Jay all along, yet she still pretended everything was fine and went through with this marriage.

Chloe. I really underestimated you.

Upstairs, Chloe Bishop was taking photos with her bridesmaids. In every shot, happiness and sweetness radiated from her face.

Gwen Grayson handed her a box. "Chloe, this is a gift from all of us for your wedding day. I've been holding onto it because Auntie was around—open it and see if you like it."

"What is it? So mysterious."

Chloe Bishop took the box and opened it under her friends' eager gazes. "What... what is this?"

Inside lay a set of sexy lingerie.

Gwen Grayson grinned mischievously. "It's for your wedding night."