5: Dumped Before Marriage

It wasn't only the crowd that was stunned. Even Lenora herself froze as she did a double take on Preston.

What the hell!!

For a minute, no one moved, everyone stared at the man, dumbstruck like they couldn't believe their eyes. Naturally, everyone was anticipating seeing a magnificent Young Master, one whose reputation is on par with the Gonzalez heiress, but that wasn't it. Not in the least.

Instead, it was a man wearing rags as clothes that were ripped, not to mention his face! How ugly he looked... Because the stench emanating from him made them so sick, they covered their noses. It appeared as though he had showered in a puddle of rat faeces.

Lenora bit her cheeks inwardly as she cuss at him. Looks like her fiancee plan on going against her in everyway. Who would have imagined that he wouldn't make any effort to clean up after she instructed him to look as plain as possible? Then, what did he use her money for?

“Hubby! Why didn't you do as I instructed and wash up? But it's okay, I still adore you no matter how you appear.”

She then grab his unclean with her small hands and kissed his nose, nearly making everyone vomit blood. 

“I love you too, Wifey.”

When someone hurriedly posted a photo online, the Internet immediately erupted. This scene merely stated that she hadn't slept with some random stranger but with her fiancee! Lenora managed to change the public's opinion just by making an appearance. What got people interested in the topic is the fact that she accepted a peasant as her husband!

Some that didn't believe it felt like she was making a big joke out of the poor. However, another person uploaded a picture of them on the street last week which convinced the bystanders. 

Oh my goodness. They are dating! 

They didn't know what to make of it. Lenora is like a Goddess to many, they expected her to marry someone befitting to be her husband. What will the Gonzalez family do about it?

In just a short period, the post gained traction quickly—thousands of likes.

 Old Master Gonzalez, her grandfather who sat at the far end finally lost it. “Lenora Paige Gonzalez!”

Lenora straightened her back and put on a bright smile. “Grandfather are you proud of me? We'll be having another member of the family. Don't worry, hubby and I will come to visit. 

At that point, Old Master Gonzalez arrived in front of them with anger written all over his face. Within minutes, Lenora had turned him into a laughingstock. He had invited the media himself because it was an annual event, but now that they were swarming all around him and demanding answers, making him regret inviting them in the first place.

— Old Master Gonzalez, were you aware of young miss's relationship from the start?

— Do you approve of her husband? You'll be a grandfather to a beggar's child? 

— Does that mean young miss fiancee will take over the Gonzalez group?

Old master Gonzalez's face became flush with rage as he took the speaker from the reporter in front.

“Henceforth, the Gonzalez family has nothing to do with Lenora Paige. She is on her own!” In other words, she's banished from the family. 

By the time he turned to look at the stage, Lenora and her dirty husband were nowhere to be seen. The veins in his head popped out, he quickly walked out of the event hall protected by his guard and then pulled out his phone. “I want them found at all costs!”

“Yes, sir!”

Meanwhile, Lenora held Preston's hand as they ran through the hidden alleyway. She kept looking back to see whether they were being followed, but eventually, she stopped seeing that no one has chased after them. She is obviously unaware of how Preston's men dealt with their pursuers. He was merely taking pleasure in being pulled by his wife.

“I...I think we've lost them.” Lenora panted, letting go of Preston's as she bent to catch her breath. 

Preston simply stared at her, drinking in her beauty. The evening breeze blew at her dark long hair making her look beautiful as a dark piece of art. He unconsciously brought his hands forward to flick the hair clinging to her face due to sweat causing Lenora's head to snap up to look at him. The next minute, she withdrew slowly and cleared her throat. 

“Um, there's something I need to tell you...” she started but Preston beat her to it. She had to tell him she was broke right now!

“Our wedding! Let's go to the Civil Affairs Bureau to get our certificates. You didn't forget your promise, did you?”

Lenora was suddenly at a loss for words, but she was honest. Since he already helped her before, she'd get married to him. 

“Umm...we can't possibly go like this, right? We'll be spotted if we show up there and they'll come after us.” she blinked her dark long lashes at him.

“I know a place...” Preston suddenly grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the alley. “Come on.”

“Wait! Damn it! Where are you going, you fool? We'd be spotted! Where are you going?” she muttered trying to catch up with him.

They soon arrived at a phone centre, where he entered the booth to place a call. A flashy Lamborghini passed by a short while later and stopped directly in front of them. For a moment, Lenora panicked thinking it was one of her grandfather's men.  She was astounded to see Preston tugging her along as he walked in that direction.

“Wait! Wait a second—where are you going? How?” She was too confused to wonder how he came to obtain this vehicle. 

Preston saw through all her thoughts and shook his head. “It's not mine. It's a friend.”

“A friend? Your friend owns a car that cost millions of dollars?” is he bullshitting me right now? Thought Lenora.

“You are thinking too much. Come, I'll tell you on the way.”  Preston pushed Lenora into the backseat and got in after her.

The driver greeted me from the front. “Good day sir. Ma.”

Lenora could only blink. Sir? 

Since she couldn't comprehend anything, she turned to Preston for an explanation. He had no choice but to formulate a lie. “The car belongs to my friend who owes me a favour. I've saved his life on the street in the past, he was injured, I never knew he was a billionaire until he came back with millions as a token of appreciation.”

Lenora wowed with understanding. “Then, why didn't you take it? What happened next?”

“He gave me a card and said that if I ever need anything, to get in touch with him because I declined the offer. I did not save him for financial gain; I did so out of free will..”

The driver in front had to glance at his boss in the backseat after hearing the rubbish he formulated. What the hell, that never happened! It's all lies! 

 He was too speechless that he forgot to step on the brakes when he got red at the traffic light. Instantly, he felt his scalp go numb when Preston shot him a cold glare from the rearview mirror and quickly rolled up the partition between them, giving them privacy. 

Lenora on the other hand gazed at Preston in a new light. He doesn't seem so bad though. She thought to herself.  

An hour later, the car pulled up to a large mansion, and when they got out, Lenora gaped, her jaw hanging. "My friend gave this to me as well, but until recently, I had no interest in the house at all." Alongside her, Preston explained.

“Woah, it means your friend is generous. What is his name again?” as a young Mistress, there's no way she hasn't heard of the rich men here in Harithon. Furthermore, as someone who likes money, her mind was already crafting a plan on how to meet up with this friend of his, maybe she could sell out business ideas to him to make money. 

However, she hadn't gone far into the thought when her back unexpectedly slammed into the car behind her. Dazed, she glanced up to see Preston staring down at her unhappily. “Why? Do you want to dump me before marriage all for money?”