Chapter 3

In that instant, a wave of shocked murmurs swept through the crowd, followed by an immediate outcry.

"W-What? Did Zoe actually hire someone to stand in for her at her own wedding?"

"Holy! Has Zoe lost her mind? She is basically dragging the Sorenson family's reputation through the dirt!"

Cassie and Jeremy's faces drained of all color following the public exposure.

Mom was absolutely livid. She pointed a finger directly at Cassie and bellowed, "You Sutherlands truly have some nerve! Zoe is truly despicable!

"How dare you treat my son's wedding—the most important event of his life—like a game! You've all gone too far! Did you think the Sorenson family would just sit back and take this?"

Dad, his eyes bloodshot with rage, hurried onto the stage and stood protectively in front of me. He then addressed the Sutherland family in a freezing tone, saying, "Waylon and Zoe's wedding is off! There will be no further ties between the Sorenson and Sutherland families from today onward!"

Upon seeing that the alliance was on the brink of collapse, Jeremy grew anxious. "Zoe was just being immature and messing around, Waylon. I'll have her come back here immediately to apologize to you!"

I scoffed and said, "I'll give her another chance, then. If you can get her on the phone this instant, I'll let it all slide."

I leaned in as I noticed Maisie's hand tightening around mine and whispered, "You can rest assured that Zoe isn't going to show up."

Jeremy, as if clinging to his last hope, took out his phone and repeatedly dialed Zoe's number, only to keep hearing the same cold automated voice. "I'm sorry, but the person you're trying to reach is unavailable."

I spoke in a deliberately aggrieved tone, saying, "It seems like Ms. Sutherland has no intention of returning."

I then turned to the security and said, "Please escort these irrelevant people out."

Cassie and Jeremy were forcibly escorted out by security, while numerous reporters excitedly shoved their cameras right up to their faces.

Dad gripped my hand firmly without demanding an explanation. "Your mother and I will stand behind you, regardless of your choices, Waylon."

Mom, on the other hand, firmly patted my shoulder—a gesture that warmed my heart so much that I almost broke down right then and there.

I then noticed a comment in the comment section.

"In the original story, Waylon's insistence on marrying Zoe led to a fallout with his parents. Zoe eventually drove the Sorenson family into bankruptcy, causing his parents to age decades in one night and commit suicide by jumping from a building. Their current situation just makes me want to burst into tears."

I lowered my gaze, masking the emotions in my eyes. I decided to show them no mercy since they showed no goodwill at first. I immediately called my assistant once the wedding ceremony was over. "I need you to end all cooperation with the Sutherland family this instant and withdraw every bit of capital we invested."

In the end, the news that I changed brides at the wedding and married Maisie didn't circulate immediately. It seemed like the Sutherland family had moved quickly to contain the news and stabilize their share price.

I rushed to register the marriage with Maisie once the wedding ceremony was over, and once it was done, Maisie mentioned that she had to leave the country for a few days to handle some affairs.

Zoe, on the other hand, was completely unaware of what had happened.

She had enjoyed two leisurely days with Jaiden at a villa on the outskirts of the city before belatedly sensing that something was off; after all, at this point, I would have already thrown a fit and dragged her back, yet now there was no movement at all.

She mindlessly swiped through her phone, not reacting even when Jaiden called out to her. She sneered and tossed her phone aside, saying, "I don't buy it. Waylon is definitely playing hard to get."

Jaiden asked tentatively, "Is it possible that Waylon is truly upset this time, Zoe? You should probably head back and smooth things over. I'd hate for you to ruin your relationship with the Sorenson family because of me."

Zoe pinched Jaiden's chin, looking utterly condescending. "You want me to go make it up to him? He's hopelessly in love with me, so he can't possibly live without me, especially after being together for more than two decades.

"He'll come crawling back to me within three days, giving me money and begging me to marry him. He's clearly too spoiled."

It was then that the comment section popped up. "I'm laughing so hard right now. Is the female lead really that dumb? I mean, she doesn't even realize that the Sorenson family has withdrawn all their capital. Sutherland Group is about to go down in flames!"

"Oh, my God! Your entire family is falling apart, yet you're still acting so smug!"