CHAPTER 13: THE WEDDING SURPRISE

Emma's composure shattered like glass against a hard floor the moment she heard the question.

"Wh... wh... what do you mean?" she quivered, her once perfect voice now lowered like a muffled baby's voice.

"You said she's dead, right?" Avon questioned firmly.

She gave a curt nod like someone trying to deny an allegation after being caught red-handed.

"She died while trying to escape with Ethan's money. Everyone knows," she let out a dry and nervous laugh.

"Lies!" One of the reporters stepped forward with his mic stretched toward Emma's mouth. "We know nothing about it. She was only declared dead without us seeing her corpse."

"Yes," another stepped forward.

"How did you know she died?"

Another emerged.

"How did you know she wanted to escape with Mr. Ethan's money?"

In less than a blink of an eye, reporters cornered her, throwing questions at her.

Tiny beads of sweat formed on her forehead as she stared from one face to another.

When Cleo suggested I pay reporters to instigate the plan, I thought it wouldn't give me the epic show I wanted, but staring at the scene playing on my screen, I must commend them. They're doing a great job.

I turned my gaze to Ethan. His face was indifferent, without emotion, just quietness, and I hated it.

I hated the fact that he wasn't moving or acting up.

Back to Emma, I could literally feel her melting under the interrogation of the reporters.

Where's the pride of the Armstrong family, or has she lost her pride?

I remembered her telling me I was a replaceable spare and a nobody. Now look who's being treated like a nobody right in her wedding hall. And to make it all the more fun, no one was interfering.

Not the father who granted all of her requests.

Or the mother who quivered at her sad face.

Or the man who almost killed his wife and unborn children for her.

None of them turned to help her.

"Answer me, Miss Emma Armstrong!"

"Why aren't you answering?"

"Could it be you really killed your sister?"

Different questions bombarded her, pushing her until she reached her limits.

"Ahhh!" Her voice rang through the air as she dropped to her knees, holding both her ears like someone who had been traumatized.

Everyone froze for a second.

"I didn't kill her," she breathed, shaking her hands in the air.

"I didn't kill her... please, stop." Her voice broke as she cried repeatedly.

I laughed.

This is just phase one... and she's already quivering?

"No, not so soon, darling... this is just the beginning. My gifts are not yet complete!" I laughed more as I slowly took a sip from my wine.

After a minute, the interrogation continued.

"If you didn't kill her, then how did you know she's dead?"

"How did you know she stole the money?"

"Who killed her?!"

"Answer us!"

"Answer our questions!"

"Enough!"

A deep baritone voice cut through the air. For the second time, silence took over.

I widened my eyes.

All eyes and cameras turned toward the voice, and they landed on Ethan.

His once indifferent and emotionless face now held something like anger, rage, and disgust.

He finally stepped down from the aisle, each step slow and calm as he walked over to Emma. He bent slowly to her level and raised her into his embrace.

She sobbed onto his chest.

"Ethan, they... they..." She couldn't even say a complete word. Ethan patted her softly and slowly handed her to Mrs. Armstrong's arms.

His hands slowly curled into fists.

He turned abruptly toward Avon's direction with a killer look.

"You!" He pointed at Avon, his eyes burning with rage and flames.

Now, staring into those eyes, a new wave of anger flowed down my spine.

My fingers slowly tightened around the wine glass as the memories flashed by.

"Who do you think you are to walk into my wedding?" He paused as his expression changed into disgust, as if he was about to say a curse.

"Talk about Elena, that mischievous woman... and even got the balls to talk trash about my woman. How dare you?"

My stomach turned the moment he referred to me as a mischievous woman.

But I wouldn't let it enter my head because I'm not set for him.

"I wasn't talking trash! In fact, the law...!"

"Fuck the law!" he cursed.

A sharp gasp erupted throughout the hall.

"This is my wedding, and I decide what happens!" he yelled, his vein almost popping out.

"Boys, throw this thing out of my wedding," he said in a very commanding tone.

His men surrounded Avon in the blink of an eye, and before they could lay a finger on him, the door burst open.

Hundreds of cops rushed in, one after the other, until they outsmarted Ethan's men.

Ethan's eyes grew wider with every second.

The crowd froze.

A dry laugh escaped my mouth.

I planned this for five good years, so you think a few of your men can stop me? That's so pathetic.

"Ethan Marcus! You didn't just disobey the law, you also disrespected it. Your so-called wife-to-be will face the consequences!" Avon's voice rang through the hall, almost shaking its foundation.

"What! I didn't do anything?!" Emma yelled.

"So why am I the one to get punished?"

Well, simple, because you are my main target! I shrugged. The feeling of being in control while in my comfort zone made me feel relaxed.

Avon brought out a file.

I adjusted my position in order to hear him clearly because it had gotten to the most interesting and anticipated part of the whole show.

"According to the marriage law..." He cleared his throat as the air became heavy with curiosity.

"It is a crime to knowingly attempt to marry someone who is still legally married to another person. And according to the evidence before us, you knowingly attempted to marry Ethan Marcus while he was still legally married to Elena Armstrong."

Emma's face went pale.

"But... but she's dead."

Avon ignored her and calmly opened the file.

"During our investigation, we also uncovered evidence of fraud, the unlawful possession of Elena Armstrong's shares, and other financial offenses connected to your actions."

Emma's eyes widened.

"No... that's not true!"

Avon ignored her.

"Emma Armstrong, you are hereby ordered to pay a billion dollars in compensation for the damages caused by your actions. Failure to do so may result in a prison sentence."

A loud thud followed.

"Someone just fainted!"