Chapter 2 Preparation

I was already walking out of the estate's entrance when Yves caught up to me. The winds were biting tonight, and he draped his coat over my shoulders. "Don't take what happened tonight to heart, Emilia."

I looked at his cufflinks. He asked me to pick it out for him last month, citing that the choice of his wife would be the pride he wore. Now, his wife's wedding would be delayed, all because she missed one mark.

"I didn't take it to heart," I said as I returned the coat to him.

He didn't take it as he frowned. "So, why'd you ask for the details?"

"Just wanted to see where I messed up." I looked at him. "So, I can be better next year."

A while later, the frown on his face softened. "A year isn't that long. Once the estate project's money is with us, the wedding will be better. I'll make it up to you, then. We'll hold the wedding on the lakeside field."

I interrupted, "Yves, aren't you curious about who scored me that lowly?"

"Maybe some of the elders expected a lot from you."

"Giving me one mark goes beyond 'expecting a lot,'" I retorted.

He grabbed my hand with more force than I expected. "We have a lot of guests tonight. Don't make a scene here."

I looked at his hand. He wasn't worried about my feelings. He just didn't want me to go against him.

My phone buzzed. It was Wendy. "Are you alright, Emilia? It's also been hard on Yves tonight. Don't get mad at him." Then, another text followed. "I talked to Mrs. Lawson. There won't be a lot of guests tomorrow. Don't put too much pressure on yourself."

I stared at the messages and laughed.

This woman was more concerned about defending this entire farce than I was.

Yves saw Wendy's name on my phone, and he let go of my hand. "Wendy's really kind. She put in a lot of good words for you."

I turned the phone off. "Tomorrow's the perfect time to thank her, then."

Yves froze for a moment, and I went into the car. The driver asked for my destination, and I told him an address—the Lawson estate's side door.

…

Half an hour later, I was already in the car outside the side door. The system manager was sitting across from me. I took a photo of the equipment's label right after he pulled it off.

In my previous life, I heard him talking to the butler. "Checking the names of the ones who graded the bride requires the organizer's authorization or the bride's application for a recheck."

I slid over my ID and invitation. "I'd like to ask for a recheck."

Mr. Zimmer went through the documents and looked at me. "You can ask for a recheck, but I can't give you the names in private. If you apply for the recheck tomorrow, the system will unlock the names automatically."

I asked, "What if someone tries to stop me?"

He turned the tablet to me, and there was a line of fine print read right at the bottom, stating, "If the results are used to delay the wedding, change the candidate, or withhold access from the trust fund, the bride may ask for a public recheck."

I pointed at 'change the candidate.' "What do they mean, change the candidate?"

"The Lawsons added this function when they first ordered the system. The wedding's delayed if the bride scores less than 90. When that happens, they can switch the bride candidate out during the deferment."

These people were already plotting against me long ago. They didn't trip me up on a whim. They made sure a backdoor was there so they could change the candidate.

I texted Melanie, "Mrs. Lawson, I'd like the system handler to be there during the explanation tomorrow."

A while later, she answered curtly, "Sure."

She wanted me to confess I had failed right in front of everyone. Perfect.

Mr. Zimmer asked, "Should I get anything else for tomorrow, Ms. Oliviera?"

I checked the terms for the recheck. "A screen mirroring cable. I'm going to unlock the names live tomorrow."