THE UNVEILED CONTRACT

"Your wedding won't go smoothly! I'll let you know Marcus only loves me, and you're just a loser!"

After Charlotte Bernard read this text, her face darkened.

Today was her wedding with Marcus Gallagher; and the text was from Marcus' childhood sweetheart, Lydia Wagner.

Charlotte took a deep breath before turning off her phone.

For this wedding, the Bernard family and the Gallagher family invited every influential figure in Aelmere. While Charlotte told herself that Marcus wouldn't do anything stupid on such an occasion, she still felt a bit worried.

Meantime, the host on the stage announced the entrance of the groom. "Next, please give your warmest welcome to our handsome groom, Mr. Marcus Gallagher!"

As the host's voice trailed off, the banquet hall broke out into a round of thunderous applause.

However, a few seconds had passed, and the groom, who should get on the stage, was still nowhere to be found.

Whispers circulated among the crowd. The host smiled calmly to make light of the "small accident," but half a minute later, he realized something was wrong and stopped talking. A silence fell upon the banquet hall.

Suddenly, a loud and crisp slap sounded from backstage. People who were sitting near the stage witnessed the groom being slapped by his mother, Marisa Gallagher.

Then, they saw Marcus yank off the flower pinned on his left chest and run toward the door.

Meanwhile, Charlotte's father, Greyson Bernard, was waiting to walk his baby girl down the aisle.

He patted Charlotte's arm gently and asked, "Lottie, are you nervous?"

Charlotte glanced at Greyson and forced a smile.

Just as she wanted to say something, she heard Marisa's voice from behind. "Marcus, come back!"

Charlotte clenched her fists. A feeling of unease washed over her.

The moment Charlotte looked back, Marcus brushed past her.

When Marcus saw Charlotte, his eyes flashed with guilt. "Lottie, I'm sorry. Something happened to Lydia. I gotta go check on her. Our wedding will have to wait."

While talking, Marcus didn't stop walking.

What he had said broke Charlotte's heart.

Meanwhile, Greyson's face instantly darkened. He didn't expect that Marcus would abandon Charlotte in front of all the friends and relatives.

Rooted to the spot, Charlotte watched Marcus running away, her mind blank.

Suddenly, a voice in her heart woke her up and told her that she had to stop him!

She then gathered her thoughts, lifted her dress, and chased Marcus.

Though running in high heels was killing Charlotte, she didn't stop. She gritted her teeth and tried her best to catch up with Marcus.

When she darted out of the hotel, Marcus already crossed the street.

Without second thoughts, she followed him.

Just as Marcus was about to get into the car, he heard a screech of the tires, followed by Marisa's scream. "Lottie!"

Charlotte, who donned a white dress, was hit by a black car. A sharp pain instantly spread across her legs.

Charlotte fell to the ground, blood seeping out and staining her white dress red. Her arms were covered with bruises and grazes, making her look like a miserable mess, but she didn't care.

She just propped against the ground and struggled to sit up. Then, she bit her lip, fixing her eyes on Marcus, who was standing next to a car.

Charlotte didn't utter a word, just looking at Marcus beseechingly as tears welled up in her eyes.

She was begging Marcus to stay with her eyes, hoping that he would choose her over Lydia for this once.

However, Marcus just cast a glance at her before hopping into the car.

In less than three seconds, the car was out of Charlotte's sight.

Sitting on the ground, Charlotte stared blankly at the passing cars. As the excruciating pain from her legs hit her, she finally burst into tears.

She couldn't help wondering in her heart, 'Why? Why did you just leave me like that? It's our wedding today! Have you ever loved me?'

Tears blurred Charlotte's vision. With a pathetic smile, she fell back to the ground.

Before she completely lost consciousness, she saw a man getting out of the black car that just hit her. In a tailored suit and expensive leather shoes, he sauntered toward her.