Chapter 3

"Why wouldn't I want to..."

Before Larissa could finish, Holly's voice pierced through from outside.

"I've bought everything in the store!"

Her voice was laced with barely concealed annoyance. "I might as well give it all to the homeless!"

The salesperson, holding the jewelry I had picked out for Larissa, gave her an apologetic look.

"Mr. Yates has already purchased these pieces…"

Holly icily interrupted, "He hasn't paid yet, has he?!"

She whipped out her exclusive black card and waved it in front of the clerk. "Money talks. I'm paying now, so they're mine."

I chuckled under my breath and took the jewelry from the salesperson. "Charge it to my prepaid card."

The salesperson let out a relieved sigh and quickly processed the transaction.

As I walked away, Holly's booming voice followed, "Hayden, cut the act! All this playing hard to get? Your game is weak!"

I did not give her the satisfaction of a response and sped up my exit.

On the way home, Larissa gripped my hand firmly, her eyes earnest.

"Hayden, you can count on me. Marry me, and I promise I won't embarrass you."

Her solemn vow almost made me laugh.

Embarrass me?

Not a chance.

Little did she know, I was well aware of who she really was.

The next day, as Larissa and I set out to decorate our future home, I was taken aback by what greeted us.

The lavish villa, a Yates family purchase, was decked out in all of Jack's preferred foreign decor.

There, on the wall of the master bedroom, hung a bold statement. It was a wedding portrait of Holly and Jack.

The butler's voice trembled as he spoke, "Ms. Smith is adamant that she's your betrothed, claiming you approved the wedding suite's decor..."

Before he could finish, Holly's call came through.

Satisfaction oozed in her voice. "Our wedding's in two days, so cut the complaints.

"After we're married, Jack and I will take the master bedroom. Though, if you fancy, you're welcome to crash here every now and then."

Fuming, I ended the call and instructed the butler to put the house on the market.

On the wedding day, I waited at the hotel's entrance, anticipating Larissa's arrival in her bridal car.

That was when Holly showed up, clad in a bridal gown, her face twisted with scorn.

Murmurs spread through the crowd.

"Isn't the bride supposed to be from the Smith family?"

"She's not, and the Yates family didn't even invite them. What's she doing here?"

Holly ignored the whispers, striding toward me, reaching for my hand.

"Hayden, you've outdone yourself," she said, her voice dripping with unwarranted assurance.

"You might've fooled my parents, but I'm not so gullible. You've really overstepped this time, though. Luckily, I've calmed Jack down and kept him out of sight."

I jerked my hand away and asked, "What are you implying?"

Her laugh was icy as she replied, "Still playing dumb? You've been given a second chance, haven't you? Just remember, as long as Jack's safe, I won't touch you."

With that, she forced a tacky ring onto my finger and smirked. "Jack picked this out for you, so try to show some thanks. After the wedding, you'd better go and express your gratitude to him."

Wren and Tracy were losing their patience too.

"Hayden, come on. Take a hint. Don't leave Jack hanging."

I let out an icy laugh and scanned the room. "Holly, what on earth gave you the idea that I have to marry you? I've already told you that Larissa is the one I'm going to marry."

My parents came rushing out of the hotel.

"What's all this commotion?"

Holly was unfazed by their arrival and continued smiling. "Hayden's throwing a little fit. He's just messing with me. I show up and he's still putting on this act. What's it going to be like when I'm part of the family?"

I was puzzled by her audacity, speaking so boldly in front of my parents.

Wren and Tracy could not help but laugh.

"You guys are out of the loop, huh? The world's wealthiest person is visiting the capital today, and the Smiths have finally scored a meeting with them. If things go their way, the Smiths will be on top in no time."

"Exactly, the so-called capital's richest young guy won't hold that title for long."

"In the future, if Holly decides to bring Jack home to stay, he won't have a say in it."

Marvin, shaking with rage at their words, finally understood why I had not chosen them.

He exploded at Holly. "This is outrageous!"

However, Holly, mistaking his anger as directed at me, gave a mocking laugh, grabbed my wrist, and started dragging me inside.

"You hear that? Even your dad thinks you're out of line! Move it! I don't want to be late getting back to Jack!"

My parents tried to intervene, but Wren and Tracy blocked them.

Caught off guard, I was yanked forward. "Let go! You'll be sorry when my wife shows up!"

The moment the words left my lips, Holly slapped me across the face without a second's hesitation.

The room went dead quiet.

With a look of total indifference, Holly declared, "Your wife? I'm your wife! Let's go now!"

Right then, the screech of tires echoed from outside the hotel, and a fleet of flashy supercars pulled up in a showy procession.

Larissa, clad in her bridal gown, descended from her ride and bellowed, "Hands off my man!"