Chapter 1

This wedding had some of the most influential people as guests. I didn't care much either way, but the older guests weren't going to be nearly as forgiving with Sebastian Lambert.If he really was as chivalrous as Dad claimed, I figured giving him a hand wouldn't hurt. But before I could finish my sentence, Sebastian cut me off impatiently. "That's all you wanted to say?"He sounded as if I was making a fuss over nothing. My rage was indescribable, but I took a deep breath, trying to stay calm. "Mr. Lambert, you seem to be confused. The wedding's about to start, and Ruth has turned the venue into a crime scene. You'd better come deal with her—"With a beep, the line went dead. I was aghast. We hadn't even met, and he'd already threatened me twice. Was this what Dad meant by "in awe?"Ruth crossed her arms and sneered. "You're nothing but a mutt that the Lamberts picked up off the street. Who do you think you are now—the lady of the house? So what if Grandpa likes you? I'm the o

Chapter 2

The person's grip slid higher, tightening around my throat. I struggled with all the strength I had, but I was no match for him. He didn't even budge.The metallic taste of blood slowly crept up my throat. Just as I was about to pass out, he finally loosened his grip.I turned away, clutching my neck as I desperately gasped for air. It took me a while to realize that it was Sebastian who showed up."Did this psychopath hurt you?" He was in a groom's suit, but not once did his gaze land on me. Instead, he gazed at Ruth, looking concerned.She immediately turned to me with a look that seemed to be fishing for sympathy. "Forget it, Seb. She's the one Grandpa wants you to marry, after all."Sebastian's gaze was akin to icicles that were sharp enough to pin me in place. "She's just an arranged fiancee. She's nothing compared to you."I hadn't even said a word about being attacked, and they were already devaluing me. Swallowing my anger, I tried to speak calmly. "Sebastian Lambert, ple

Chapter 3

Sebastian's expression darkened instantly. Veins throbbed visibly at his temple. "Do you even know what you're saying?" he growled through gritted teeth. I wasn't sure whether he was just embarrassed by the scene or if he was furious that his shares might slip away.Ruth quickly gazed at him with sorrowful eyes. "Seb, she's the reason you've become a joke in high society. What are you waiting for? If it hadn't been for her insisting on marrying you, I'd be the one standing here in a wedding dress right now!"He gently stroked her face to comfort her. A hint of conflict flickered in his eyes. "Now's not the time, Ruth."Noticing his hesitation, she swiftly clasped his hand and interlocked her fingers with his. "No, Seb, it's now or never! I found my birth parents. They're from the Schneiders—the richest family in the country!"Gazing at him with her eyes full of bliss, she slowly tugged her neckline down. "Ten years ago, their daughter had been kidnapped. They only found her again

Chapter 4

As I was thrown into the coffin, my back slammed hard against the base. The coffin was so narrow I could barely breathe. My field of vision shrank instantly. Once I calmed myself down, I spotted Ruth standing outside the coffin, looking at me with a triumphant smile. "It's been two minutes. Where are your parents? If they're really pissed off, shouldn't I at least hear something by now? What, are they mice? Only brave enough to squeak from the gutters?"Just as she spoke, the tracker she had taken from me lit up. Then, Dad's voice came through. "Are you somewhere you can talk, Claudia?"I gave a grunt of affirmation, and his tone turned serious. "Your location shows you're at the Hartvania Hotel. How many abductors are there? The police and I are on our way now. Just hang tight and stay put."Glancing at Ruth's stunned expression, I icily said, "Dad, tell them to come straight to the main hall. My tracker's with the people who abducted me."Seizing the opportunity, I yanked the t

Chapter 5

The arrogance on Sebastian's and Ruth's faces had completely vanished. What remained was pure fear as their lives were being threatened. "Seb, are these people yours?" Ruth's gaze lingered over the SWAT team's uniforms as she stood frozen in place. She clung tightly to his arm as if she still held on to a glimmer of hope. Yet, had she turned her head, she would've seen that her beloved "Seb" was completely drenched in cold sweat.One of the officers who had rescued me murmured something into his earpiece. Moments later, the doors to the hall were kicked open. A senior military officer, Mr. Zegler, entered with his men. "Reporting in, sir. Hostage successfully recovered," the officer said.Mr. Zegler nodded. He flinched slightly after noticing the blood on me. "Hope everything's okay, Claudia."He turned to summon the medical team, but I quickly stopped him. "I'm fine, sir. It's not my blood."As we spoke, the lasers on Sebastian's and Ruth's faces disappeared. Ruth immediat

Chapter 6

Just as Sebastian and Ruth were about to be taken into the SWAT team's van, an old man hurried out from the crowd. "Where's Claudia? Where's my granddaughter-in-law?"It was Theodore. He spotted me after scanning the room and limped toward me hastily. "It's all my fault, Claudia. I didn't raise him right."Seeing my dishevelled appearance, his voice grew heavy with remorse. "You've been through a lot."He barely spared Sebastian a single glance, but the latter started to struggle, thinking help was here. "Move—my grandpa's here now! You've got the wrong person!"Seeing my expression grow colder by the second, Theodore immediately turned around and chided him. "Shut up! Get over here and apologize to Claudia!"He then cast a quick glance in Ruth's direction. He closed his eyes, as if making a major decision, and declared, "Officer, if you're going to take someone, take my disappointing granddaughter instead. She had manipulated my naive grandson."Of course, Ruth heard every word.

Chapter 7

Theodore staggered backward violently, nearly losing his footing as he tried to plead on Sebastian's behalf. "Sebastian truly understands that it's all his fault, Claudia. Even if he can't be your husband, you can still keep him by your side. He'll do anything to make it up to you."Sebastian's hand, which was outstretched to support him, froze. He clenched his fists and glared at me, looking utterly humiliated as he tried to say something. Yet, I was unfazed as I said, "The Schneiders do not need useless servants."That sentence seemed to crush what was left of his pride. His eyes were bloodshot as he glared at me. "I've admitted my mistakes! How far do you want to push me before you're happy?"I glanced at him. "You're getting ahead of yourself, Mr. Lambert. I'm not humiliating you—I just find you revolting to even look at.""How dare you—"He gritted his teeth, about to retort, but Theodore slapped him again. "Shut up! How did your father raise such an idiot?"Theodore took a

All Chapters of Before I Say I Do: Chapter 1 - Chapter 7