Chapter 4 The Bride

• "Ah, Mr. Granger... it's you..."
• Mark's face paled, his entire body instinctively shrinking as if his very stature had diminished by half. "W-what brings you here...?"
• "Oh?" Marcus' voice was icy, his gaze unwavering as he glared at Mark. "Do I need the Orion Family's approval to marry off my daughter?"
• "N-no, of course not, sir..." Mark stammered, his heart pounding with dread. Marcus is hosting a wedding today? The realization hit him like a bolt of lightning.
• "I'm so sorry…so sorry, Mr. Granger. I truly didn't know..." His voice trembled as he frantically bowed his head, trying to appear as small and insignificant as possible.
• His humility bordered on groveling, his form a perfect display of subservience. If only I had known he was hosting a wedding on this floor... he thought in panic. How could I have dared to schedule the Orion Family's wedding here?
• With a dismissive huff, Marcus turned and strode away, not bothering to glance back. His imposing figure disappeared into the hall, taking with him the weight of his scorn. Only when he and his entourage were completely out of sight did Mark dare to straighten his back. His body was drenched in cold sweat.
• Breathing heavily, he wiped his forehead, still shaken by the encounter. "I don't know how you got invited to the Granger Family's wedding, but mark my words," he warned sharply, turning to Dave, his voice filled with tension, "Don't cause any trouble, or you'll drag the Orion Family down with you..."
• Dave was unfazed by his words. He ignored him completely and walked away without a word.
• "Dave, the Granger Family just arrived. I'll take you to change into something more appropriate," a voice called out hurriedly. It was Rufus, coming to meet Dave with urgency in his steps.
• Half an hour later, Dave emerged from the dressing room. He was now clad in a sharp, tailored suit.
• As the door to the dressing room across the hall swung open, a figure emerged and froze the moment she saw Dave. Her face went from surprised to utterly horrified in the span of a heartbeat.
• "Dave, what are you doing here?"
• It was Jessie. She hurried toward him, eyes wide with panic. "They've already told you—you're not the groom! What on earth are you wearing? What are you trying to do?"
• Her voice carried a frantic edge, tinged with disbelief. "Have you lost your mind? Are you here to cause trouble?"
• His expression remained cold. "It has nothing to do with you."
• She lowered her voice, glancing nervously around as if someone might overhear. "Is it money you want? Just say the word. How much? 15,000? Will that be enough?"
• Dave's lips curled into a bitter smile, dripping with sarcasm. "You're certainly generous."
• Five years of his life had vanished in prison because of her, and now, here she was, offering him money like he was nothing more than a beggar she could toss a few coins at.
• She bristled at his mocking tone, her frustration simmering just beneath the surface. "Fine," she snapped, clearly growing agitated. "75,000! I'll give you 75,000, as long as you don't cause any trouble today. After the wedding, the money is yours."
• But he stayed silent, his gaze piercing. Her facade began to crack under the weight of his unspoken defiance. "Dave," she hissed, her voice trembling with a mix of fear and anger. "Don't push your luck. Believe me when I say that with just 15000, I could make sure you disappear from Granville for good."
• A chill smirk played across Dave's face. "I don't believe you."
• Without another word, he turned on his heel and strode confidently into the wedding hall.
• "Dave, I've been looking for you," Rufus said, stepping into the room. "Come meet the bride and get acquainted with her."
• …
• In the banquet hall, behind the stage.
• At long last, Dave finally laid eyes on the Crystal.
• Her skin was flawless, like the purest snow and her beauty was breathtaking. She was truly a woman capable of toppling nations. As the most beautiful woman in Granville, her reputation was well-deserved.
• There was an aura of cold elegance around her, distant and untouchable, like a solitary mountain peak enveloped in frost.
• "Hello, Ms. Granger. I'm Dave Orion," he greeted her, his voice steady, though he couldn't hide a flicker of admiration in his eyes.
• "I'm Crystal Granger," she replied, her voice as graceful as it was gentle. A hint of relief softened her cold demeanor. At least, she thought, this man is handsome.
• Her gaze drifted toward her father, and with a subtle nod, she gave her silent approval.
• The wedding had been arranged in such haste that she had barely had time to process it. Her one demand had been simple: she must meet the groom before the ceremony. If it had been some unsightly old man, she would have refused, no matter the cost.
• Marcus breathed a quiet sigh of relief.
• "Rufus, let's notify the guests and prepare for the ceremony," he said.
• Yet, as he spoke, a flicker of confusion crossed his mind. He furrowed his brow slightly, recalling an earlier moment. At the entrance, he had briefly encountered Dave.
• …
• At this moment, across the hall in Banquet Room B.
• "Honored guests, our wedding ceremony will begin in five minutes…" The host's voice rang out as they took the stage, addressing the gathering. The room was packed, with every seat filled.
• Suddenly, the sharp sound of phones ringing broke through the air, rippling from one table to the next. Guests fumbled for their devices. Some stood up, politely excusing themselves to take the calls outside, while others answered right where they sat.