Chapter 5: Got Married Just Like That?

After Lucien and Seraphina left the venue, all remaining eyes turned to the Hawthorne and Moreau families.

The silence did not last long.

The man from the first-rate family who had laughed earlier stood up, clapping slowly, his face full of satisfaction. "If there's another show like this," he said cheerfully as he looked at Edmund Hawthorne, "don't forget to invite me."

He laughed again. "Totally worth coming. Good food, free entertainment."

Then he turned to Julian, smiled brightly, and added, "By the way, the fried chicken was excellent. Don't forget to invite me to your wedding with Caleb."

With that, he laughed and walked out.

One by one, the guests followed.

Some laughed openly. Some shook their heads in disbelief. Others whispered excitedly, clearly convinced they had just witnessed one of the most entertaining social disasters in Lunada City's history.

...

On the other side of the city, Lucien slowed his electric bike and stopped by the roadside.

Seraphina, seated behind him, tilted her head. "Why did you stop?"

Lucien turned slightly. "We're far from the venue now," he said calmly. "So what's your next plan?"

Seraphina smirked. "Isn't it obvious?" she replied lightly. "Didn't I say we're getting married?"

Lucien froze.

"…What?"

Seraphina laughed. "Hey, everyone heard me. I can't just take it back. Besides," she added, her tone turning practical, "if I don't marry you, they won't stop—especially after what you did at the banquet today."

She chuckled. "You humiliated them too badly."

Lucien scratched his head, clearly thinking.

After a moment, he exhaled. "Alright."

Seraphina blinked. "That easy?"

Lucien glanced at her. "I already agreed in front of everyone. If I back out now, you'll be the one chased by both families."

He paused, then added honestly, "And… I don't like the idea of you dealing with them alone."

Seraphina smiled faintly.

'You're still pretending,' she thought. 'As if I don't know how you feel.'

Aloud, she said, "For the first time, I actually enjoyed your sharp tongue today."

Lucien laughed. "Julian's face?"

"Like an overripe tomato," she replied.

Lucien shook his head. "Your adoptive parents are probably furious right now."

Seraphina's smile turned cold. "That's still not enough."

Then she straightened. "Let's go to the civil registry."

Lucien nodded and started the bike again.

They arrived shortly after.

The marriage license photo was… striking.

Seraphina stood in a wedding gown, elegant and radiant.

Beside her, Lucien—handsome but casually dressed—looked like someone who had been picked up from the street at random.

They were like two people from different worlds.

After securing the documents, Lucien glanced at her. "You don't have anywhere to stay tonight, right?"

Seraphina shook her head.

"…Then come to my place," he said. "It's small, but it works."

Lucien's apartment was modest but livable—one living area, a small kitchen, and a single bedroom.

The problem was the mess.

As soon as the door opened, Lucien froze.

A pair of boxers lay shamelessly on the sofa.

"…Wait," he said quickly. "Don't move."

He went into full panic mode, grabbing clothes, tossing them into corners, shoving items under cushions.

"Sit. Please," he said awkwardly, laughing nervously.

Seraphina lifted the hem of her gown slightly. "Do you have spare clothes? And shorts?"

Lucien blinked.

Once. Twice.

"…Yeah."

A few minutes later, they sat on the sofa.

Lucien handed her a glass of water.

Seraphina was now wearing an oversized polo shirt and faded denim shorts. The clothes were loose, casual—and somehow suited her perfectly.

Lucien looked away almost immediately.

The neckline was far too distracting.

He coughed and leaned back. "So… what are your plans now?"

Seraphina's expression turned thoughtful. "I won't be able to go back to the company," she said calmly. "I was vice president, but no matter what I do, Caleb benefits in the end."

She sighed. "I've done enough for them."

After a pause, she continued, "I want to start my own studio. Jewelry design. Create and sell."

Lucien looked at her seriously. "Whatever you want to do," he said, lifting his glass, "I'll support you."

Seraphina smiled.

They clinked glasses.

....

Bang!

A chair flew across the living room of the Hawthorne villa, crashing violently against the wall.

Julian Moreau stood in the center of the room, his chest heaving, his expression twisted with rage. The humiliation he had suffered at the wedding still burned in his veins, sharp and unbearable.

Edmund, Margaret, and Caleb Hawthorne stood off to the side.

Heads lowered.

Shoulders tense.

Not a single one of them dared to speak first.

"You useless people," Julian snarled. "Do you have any idea what today did to me?"

His eyes swept over them like blades. "I was turned into a joke. In front of the entire Lunada elite."

Margaret's lips trembled. "We… we don't know why Seraphina suddenly became like that," she said weakly. "She's never behaved this way before."

Julian laughed coldly. "That's your explanation?"

Edmund swallowed and forced himself to speak. "She changed," he said carefully. "It was sudden. She was too calm. Too composed. She used to obey without question."

His brow furrowed. "It was as if she became a completely different person."

Julian cursed under his breath.

"I don't want reasons," he snapped. "I want solutions."

The Hawthorne couple lowered their heads even further.

Julian yanked at his tie, ripped it off his neck, and tossed it aside in disgust. Then he turned sharply.

"Who was that man?" he demanded. "The one who walked out with her."

Margaret hesitated. "You mean the man who left with her?" she asked carefully. "That was Lucien. Lucien Cross."

Julian's eyes narrowed.

"He's from the provinces," Margaret continued quickly. "Seraphina invited him along with a few college classmates. They were very close back then."

Her voice softened as she spoke, memories slipping out uncontrollably. "They used to spend a lot of time together. She smiled more when she was with him. He always—"

Edmund elbowed her sharply.

Margaret stopped immediately.

Edmund cleared his throat. "They're just friends," he said firmly. "I'm certain they won't actually go through with a marriage."

Julian's fingers slowly curled into fists.

"Lucien…" he repeated softly.

The name settled deep into his memory.

"I will remember that name," Julian said coldly. "And I will return every ounce of humiliation he gave me—tenfold."

He turned back to the Hawthornes, his gaze ruthless.

"Do whatever it takes," he ordered. "Bring Seraphina back. Make her marry me."

He paused, letting the threat sink in.

"…Else you already know what will happen."