Chapter 4

Lucy blushed, smiling sweetly as she said, "Mom, you've had a hard time raising me. As your daughter, now that I'm grown, I'll take good care of the family."

The others immediately chimed in with praise.

"The Lacher family is so lucky to have Lucy!"

Another middle-aged man raised his glass.

"Lucas's a real man too! He arranged a house for her before they even got married. That's what you call responsibility!"

One of the female relatives sighed dramatically.

"Oh, if only I could marry a man like Lucas. Every time I think about my own husband... sigh!"

The other relatives instantly burst into teasing laughter.

"Keep dreaming! Lucy earned this with her own ability!"

The atmosphere grew increasingly lively. Some people toasted, others joked around. Lucas and Lucy stood at the center of the crowd, basking in endless praise and admiration.

Meanwhile, I watched the noisy scene with a completely expressionless face.

At that moment, Lucas suddenly pulled out a ring. In front of everyone, he dropped to one knee and gazed at Lucy with deep affection.

"Lucy, with so many people here to witness this moment, will you marry me?"

The diamond ring, nearly the size of a pigeon egg, sparkled blindingly beneath the sun.

"Say yes! Say yes!"

The crowd erupted into cheers.

Tears welled in Lucy's eyes as she choked out, "I will."

The two of them embraced amid countless congratulatory cries.

Suddenly, the bakery owner let out a puzzled sound.

"Lucas… if I remember correctly, aren't you already married?"

The single sentence sliced through the excited atmosphere like a knife.

Lucy's face turned visibly pale. She looked as though she might collapse at any second, her eyes brimming with grievance.

Reacting quickly, Lucas pulled her into his arms protectively and shielded her behind him before speaking seriously.

"That's already in the past. From now on, Lucy is my real wife."

Hearing those words, a bleak smile spread across my face.

Back when Lucas wanted to start his business, I had taken out all my savings to support him. I had even gotten into a massive fight with my father over it, to the point that we stopped speaking for more than a year.

After everything I sacrificed for him, I had become "the past"?

I bit hard against my lower lip, suppressing the fury surging through my chest.

My best friend answered disdainfully, "The unloved one is the real mistress. Jessica separating from Lucas is better for everyone. She can go find her own true love too."

Lucy's mother snorted coldly, snatched the microphone away, and raised her voice.

"Today is my daughter's housewarming party—a joyous occasion. Don't say such unlucky things!"

Lucy's uncle added loudly, "Exactly! Lucy has already prepared a house for Lucy. That proves he sincerely wants to become part of our family!"

Lucas spoke again, declaring his stance once more.

"In this lifetime, I'll marry no one except Lucy!"

Sitting in my car, I suddenly burst into laughter so hard tears streamed down my face.

What a grand declaration of "I'll marry no one except Lucy."

I wondered whether he'd still dare to repeat those words so confidently once he saw me.

In the end, the bakery owner said nothing more. With a sigh, she quietly disappeared back into the crowd.

Meanwhile, Lucy's expression eased considerably under the encouragement and cheers of her relatives.

Lucas gently rubbed her head and said softly, "Don't overthink things. Show everyone your new house."

Someone immediately followed up to smooth the atmosphere over.

"Exactly! We've been here this long and still haven't toured the house Lucas prepared for Lucy. Hurry up and let us see it!"

Lucy nodded and walked toward the entrance under everyone's eager gazes.

The next second, the sharp electronic warning rang clearly through the air.

"Fingerprint not recognized."

Lucy froze for a moment before tugging on Lucas's sleeve coquettishly.

"Lucas, you upgraded to such an advanced lock and didn't tell me?"

Lucas frowned and grabbed her hand.

"How could the fingerprint be incorrect? Try again—"

"No need."

I slowly rose from within the crowd, removing the disguise from my face as my clear voice echoed into every person's ears.

"Lucas, this is my house. How could a mistress possibly open it?"

At the same instant, both Lucas and Lucy turned deathly pale.