All Chapters of Elite Weddings, Winnings, Wars & Woes: Chapter 1 - Chapter 9

9 Chapters

Chapter 1

I smiled. "And? It's my life. I won't regret it."My father's hands shook. "No, no! Skylar, please! Just pick one of those three. You know your life will be better this way."My father loved my mother so much that he could not bring himself to love anyone else after she died. At the same time, he knew the company's board was waiting for a chance to strike and take our family business, so he had been worried."Cyrus' condition is unfortunate, but he has something we truly need. His company holds the Aslan-Pacific region," I added, my tone firm.My father finally sighed.…The soiree opened in a dazzle of lights.The room buzzed with conversation, but I stood alone in a corner.Irina wore a pastel-pink evening gown. She approached with a graceful gait and a winning smile, then leaned close to my ear with feigned warmth. "Oh my God, why are you standing here all alone? You should be talking to the three princes your dad groomed for you, sweetie. Or… have you already found someone

Chapter 2

My cheeks burned as though they had been lashed as I walked away.…A week later, the Sothisby Auction House held its grand international art and collectibles auction. My father had been preparing for it for a long time. He had invited many of the world's most famous collectors.Irina arrived with her arm looped through Corbin's, while Jared and Hector stood nearby.The auctioneer's energetic voice rose above the crowd. "Ladies and gentlemen, let us begin our day with a true vintage beauty, the 'Dear Ilia' white gold, emerald, and diamond necklace, crafted over three years by the famed 18th-century Florentine jeweler, Alois Fontaine. Opening bid, 26,000 dollars."My eyes caught the dazzling light reflecting off the necklace, and my heart skipped a beat. My mother had always loved jewelry that combined emeralds and white gold. She used to wear a necklace in a similar style.I raised my paddle without hesitation. "27,000!""29,000!"I stared. Irina beamed at me with her paddle ra

Chapter 3

"Who did this to us?" I croaked.Irina shook her head, panic etched across her face. "I don't know! I was about to leave the auction when someone attacked me. Then I woke up here! Oh God, what's going to happen to me? Save me, Skylar!"I sneered, "So now you remember who I am and the connections I have? What happened to that big, bitchy energy, Irina?"She broke into tears. "That's not funny, Skylar! I know I haven't been nice to you, but please, help me!"The warehouse door suddenly swung open. Corbin stormed in, fury radiating from him. The moment he saw us, he rushed forward. "Irin!"He stopped short. He noticed the timer, then turned to me, stunned."Skylar? You too? No. There's no time to ask why," he muttered to himself as he began scanning the area for clues.He spotted a black box. Inside was a defusing tool and a note."You can save only one. Or doom them both if you have a lust for heroism," he read, bewildered.Irina sobbed. "No! I don't want to die!"Corbin glance

Chapter 4

Irina hung her head and sniffed.I laughed scornfully. "You just keep racing to the bottom, Corbin. I nearly died in that explosion, and somehow I could be behind my own death?"Corbin glared at me. "You knew you were losing favor, so you cooked up a scheme to test me. If I saved you instead of her… Well, it would have been the perfect chance to get rid of her once and for all.""Are you fucking serious?" I shot back. "Why would I risk my own life like that?""Mr. Sothisby has heard about this," Hector said quietly.My heart sank. My father believed them?Corbin took a deep breath. "Listen, Skylar. Promise me you won't pull anything outrageous again. Act like a normal woman, and I will marry you."I said nothing. Then I slowly lifted my head and met his gaze. "Deal."…Three days after I was discharged from the hospital, Sothisby & Co.'s founding anniversary arrived. It was also the day I had originally planned to announce my intention to marry Cyrus Brennan.The hall glitter

Chapter 5

The door opened again, and this time a towering figure strode inside.The hall fell silent, so quiet that the sound of breathing seemed almost audible.Cyrus had arrived.He was a legend in business. At only 30, he had already become the true leader of the Brennan Group, a megacorporation ten times the size of our own. He rarely appeared in public, especially not for something as trivial as an anniversary celebration.Dressed in a sharp black suit, his cool, stoic face revealed nothing as he approached the stage where I stood. He stopped beside me and took my hand."Sorry for my tardiness, sweetie," he said, then kissed the back of my hand.The crowd gasped. Phones shot up, and camera flashes lit the hall."Wasn't he caught in some freak plane accident? How is he here now?"Within 10 minutes, every social media platform was flooded with posts about his appearance. Hashtags like #TheLegendOfCyrus, #HowIsThatGuyOutOfComa, and #SkylarCyrus spread everywhere.I saw the directors'

Chapter 6

Cyrus leaned close and whispered in my ear, "Don't worry. I expected this. My men are ready to catch her."Warmth spread through me.After the event, Cyrus arranged for his driver to take me home. As the car left the hotel's bustling, glittering lights and moved into the quieter streets, I closed my eyes to rest.A moment later, the driver spoke. "Ma'am? Someone is blocking our way."I opened my eyes and looked ahead. A petite figure in a cap and mask stood in the middle of the road. The driver honked, but the person did not move.He sighed. "I'll have to speak with them."He stepped out and approached the figure. After a short exchange, he turned back to me. "Ma'am, she says you know her."Confused, I got out of the car. The figure reached up and removed her mask and cap.My blood ran cold. It was Irina.Her face was pale, her eyes red, her lips trembling."S-Skylar, Skylar! Listen to me. I'm begging you!" she wailed. "Send me away. Anywhere will do. The police are after me!

Chapter 7

"I know I can't turn things back to what they once were," Corbin added shakily. "But you have to believe me. I didn't want to kill you. It was Irin. She's changed—""Enough," I cut him off. "Thanks for saving my life, but I'm not forgiving you.""Skylar… please. Give me another chance to make things right, so I can prove my love to you…""Oh, I get it. You realize Irina's a sinking ship, so now you're hoping to use me," I said with a snort."That's not what's happening. Corbin, to be frank?" I held his gaze. "I wouldn't choose you even if you were the only man in the world."A car hummed nearby before its engine died. Cyrus stepped out and approached us without a word.Corbin saw him, sighed, and turned away.Cyrus glanced at me, his expression shifting to alarm. "Your shoulder. We need to get you to a doctor."…The doctor dressed my stab wound carefully. When he finished, he gave me a light hug. "There, there. It's all over now."It felt warm and safe. For the first time, I

Chapter 8

It was our wedding day. The venue was a real castle built in the 17th century, with a sprawling garden filled with roses."Are you nervous?" my makeup artist asked.I smiled. "Oh yeah. A little."My father took my hand. His eyes were wet with pride and a trace of loss."Oh God, my precious little girl… You're really all grown up," he said, his voice cracking.The doors opened. Hundreds of guests rose and turned toward us. I held my father's arm and walked down the aisle toward the center, where my groom was already waiting.Cyrus wore the most perfect suit I had ever seen. He stood before the altar and looked at me, his eyes bright with joy.My father released my arm, and Cyrus took my hand gently. "Gosh, you're gorgeous."The priest began his prayers. Just as we were about to exchange our rings, the doors swung open. The panels slammed against the wall with a loud, jarring thud.A familiar voice rang out. "I object to this union!"It was Corbin. His clothes and hair were com

Chapter 9

The side door suddenly swung open and slammed against the wall. Two figures rushed out and charged straight at Corbin.It was Jared and Hector.Jared drove his weight into the comparatively gaunt Corbin from the right. At the same time, Hector struck from the left and snatched the remote the moment Corbin's grip loosened, then kicked it as far away as possible.Jared seized Corbin's arm and wrenched it behind his back, pinning him in place.The crazed man could only scream, "Let me go!""Have you gone mad?!" Jared shouted. "Stop this now!"A police siren wailed in the distance. Officers burst into the hall and quickly took control of the situation. "You're under arrest, Corbin Ford! You are charged on suspicion of kidnapping, threats, and terrorist activities!"As they handcuffed him, the madness in his eyes faded into despair. He looked at me and cried hoarsely, "Skylar… please… I love you!"I looked away. I could not bear to watch.After the police took him away, Jared and H

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