CHAPTER THREE

Micheal’s POV

Chloe walked quickly down the hallway, trying to put as much distance as possible between herself and the room she had just passed. She didn’t notice I was standing farther down the corridor.

I had seen her. I had watched the way her expression changed after she heard the voices behind the closed door. I had noticed the brief pain in her eyes before she forced herself to walk away. But she never looked back. She entered the banquet hall. A second later, she accidentally bumped into a passing server. The tray in his hands tilted, and a glass of wine spilled all over Chloe’s dress.

“Oh my God!”

The entire hall turned toward her. Whispers immediately filled the room. “Isn’t she always so clumsy?”

“She just embarrassed herself in front of everyone.”

“Poor girl.” Chloe lowered her eyes, fighting the humiliation burning across her face. “I’m sorry, ma’am,” the server stammered. Before she could respond, I appeared beside her. My expression instantly silenced the room. I removed my coat and placed it over her shoulders.

“Come with me.” She looked at me, surprised.

I didn’t wait for an answer. I lifted her in a bridal style and carried her to the bathroom, where I helped her clean the stain from her dress. When she finally looked up, she found my coat still around her shoulders.

“Thank you,” she said quietly. I only nodded.

Then my phone vibrated. I stepped aside and sent a short message.

Meet me outside the bathroom. Now.

A few minutes later, Adrian, my best friend, appeared. I walked out of the bathroom and lowered my voice. “I want everything.”Adrian frowned. “Everything?”Her family. Her father’s company. His debts. Her history.” My eyes hardened.

“And find out who Andrew is to her.” Adrian studied my facial expression.

“Is this because of the marriage?”

I said nothing, That was enough of an answer.

We returned to the banquet hall. I stepped forward, and the room gradually fell silent. “I have an announcement.”

Everyone turned toward me.

“I will marry Chloe in three weeks.”

Shock spread through the room.

Chloe stared at me. I continued calmly, “I will settle her father’s outstanding debts and invest in his company. His financial problems will no longer concern this family.”

Sebastian looked stunned. The whispers began again.

“So that’s why the contract was signed…” “Michael is paying off all his debts?” “He’s investing in the company too?”

I ignored them.

“The wedding preparations begin immediately.” I glanced toward Chloe.

“My family will handle everything that needs to be handled,” I said.

Then I walked away. Chloe remained frozen in place.

Three weeks. She had only three weeks before she became my wife.

A few weeks later, the preparations began.

One morning, several luxury cars arrived at Chloe’s family home. My grandmother stepped out first, accompanied by members of the family and several people carrying beautifully wrapped boxes.

Inside were Chloe’s wedding dress, jewelry, traditional wedding gifts, and everything required for the marriage ceremony.

Chloe stood at the top of the staircase, staring down at them.

Sebastian looked overwhelmed. Elena could barely hide her excitement.

Amelia stood beside her mother, watching silently.

My grandmother smiled warmly at Chloe.

“Come, dear.”

She gestured toward the boxes.

“These are from our family.”

Chloe slowly descended the stairs. Her eyes fell on the magnificent wedding dress.

For the first time, the reality of what was happening truly sank in.

She was actually going to marry Me. And now she was seeing another side of his family. Chloe smiled faintly as she looked at the beautiful gifts. Across the room, Amelia watched her.

Jealousy flashed in her eyes. Yet beneath the jealousy was something else.

Relief. Soon, Chloe would be leaving this house.

And Amelia wouldn’t have to see her every day.

She almost smiled at the thought.

Later that afternoon, Chloe went into the kitchen to prepare drinks for Michael’s family. She heard footsteps behind her.

She turned.

Amelia. “What do you want?” Amelia leaned against the doorway. “Enjoying all your gifts?” she said.

Chloe ignored her and continued arranging the glasses.

Amelia walked closer. “Don’t think all those expensive gifts mean you’re going to live happily with Michael.”

Chloe remained silent.

“He’s a ruthless man,” Amelia continued. “Soon, you’ll find out what he’s really like.” Still, Chloe said nothing.

Amelia smiled cruelly. “I can’t wait to see what you look like after he destroys you.” Chloe finally looked at her.

“You’re finished?” Amelia’s smile disappeared. Chloe picked up the tray. “I have people waiting.”

She walked past her, but Amelia followed. When Chloe stepped into the dining room carrying the tray, Amelia quietly stretched out her foot. Chloe didn’t see it. Her foot caught against Amelia’s. The tray slipped.

Crash!

The glasses shattered across the floor. Chloe fell forward, and a sharp piece of glass cut into her palm.

A gasp went through the room. Blood trickled down her hand.

Amelia immediately put on an innocent expression.

“Oh my God, Chloe! I’m sorry. I didn’t—” Chloe slowly pushed herself up. She looked at the blood on her palm.

Then she looked at Amelia. Something inside her finally snapped.

Smack!

The sound of the slap echoed through the room.

Everyone froze. Amelia stared at her in disbelief, holding her cheek.“You hit me?”Chloe’s breathing was heavy.

“Yes.”Amelia’s eyes widened with rage.“You actually hit me?”Chloe stepped closer.“If you do something like that again…”

She raised her injured hand.“I won’t give you one slap.”

She stared directly into Amelia’s eyes.

“I’ll give you twice this.”The entire room fell silent.

For the first time, Amelia had nothing to say.

And Chloe walked away, leaving a trail of blood from her injured hand.