Meanwhile, Heather had been waiting for a long time to go on stage. Several times, she had urged the attendant to go and check.
âMs. Olsen, Iâm afraid we might have to wait a bit longer,â the attendant said.
âWhy?â
âThe ceremony is not over yet.â
âBut weâre behind schedule. Where is my mother?â Heather exclaimed, about to leave, but was stopped by the attendant.
âMs. Olsen, please reconsider. Youâre the bride today. Itâs not appropriate for you to go out at this time.â
Indeed, she was the bride, already dressed in a pristine white wedding gown. The hem of her flowing skirt was adorned with tiny diamonds, shimmering with every step she took.
Left with no other choice, Heather had to calm herself down. She sat in front of the mirror, studying her own features.
âGet Mr. Russell to come in. I need to talk to him.â
The attendant left.
On that day, she had deliberately chosen a distinct makeup style. She didnât mirror Josie as closely.
Instead, she bore a closer resemblance to her true self, Rachel.
She wanted to be herself for just one day.
Meanwhile, outside the hotel, a tall man accompanied by a doctor in a white coat carrying a case was stopped by a bodyguard.
âIâm sorry, but you cannot enter without an invitation.â
The sun was at its zenith, and the man looked anxious, his forehead covered in a sheen of fine sweat.
âWe have urgent matters to attend to. You must let us in!â
Matthew was fraught with anxiety, as the commotion inside indicated that the wedding must have already begun.
However, Josie did not send them the invitation as promised at the agreed time.
Matthew was very worried. Where is she?
âIâm truly sorry. Please donât put us in a difficult position!â the bodyguard said, strictly adhering to his duties.
Matthew glanced at the doctor beside him, who didnât understand Clusian, and told him to wait a moment. Just then, a car sped up, and a chic woman got out from the back seat. She held a file in her hand, her objective clear.
Matthew was taken aback by her decisive and swift actions. The latter was also scrutinizing them and seemed to have understood something.
âYou want to go in?â
Matthew had no other options and simply nodded.
Mallory hadnât planned to come today, but upon thinking of the information Calvin had asked her to investigate, she decided to show up after all.
âIs he⦠a plastic surgeon?â Mallory asked.
Swiftly, a gleam of light sparked in Matthewâs eyes as he firmly grasped Malloryâs hand. âSo, youâre one of us!â
Mallory couldnât help but laugh. She pulled out the invitation and handed it to the bodyguard. âThey are with me.â
After the bodyguard finished checking, he let them in.
âIâm not sure what the plan you discussed with Josie was, but thereâs been an unexpected development. Sheâs gone missing. Iâm afraid your plan canât proceed as usual,â Mallory said in a low voice as she walked briskly.
âJo is missing!â Matthew was shocked. âThen how do weââ
âLetâs see how things go.â
Matthewâs brows furrowed in concern. Josie had approached him, requesting that he leverage his connections in the medical community to investigate a specific individual, and once located, to personally escort that person back.
He had put in a great deal of effort, and after much difficulty, he had finally returned to the country, only to discover that she was nowhere to be found.
Entering the wedding venue through a side door, Mallory immediately caught sight of a familiar figure as she looked up.
Calvin was standing on the stage, delivering a speech. He was wearing gold-rimmed glasses, and his serious demeanor reminded Mallory of their school days.
Her lips quirked up.
Calvin had noticed her too, and he raised an eyebrow in response.
Mallory led Matthew to a seat, then provocatively raised her wine glass in a gesture toward the man on stage.
She mouthed the words, âMr. Barrett, itâs been a long time.â