Otherwise, should this news spread, Gautier would face ridicule from others and endure a significant
blow to his reputation.
âFarewell then,â Mackenzie declared, her departure accompanied by a resurgence of her Queen of
Yeringham demeanor. With Emmanuel by her side, she found solace, knowing she no longer had to
fear potential attacks from adversaries.
Recent events had underscored for her the importance of having a fighter, even with financial
advantages: Without one, she remained vulnerable to humiliation at the hands of others.
It finally dawned on her why numerous prominent families and CEOs eagerly anticipated the Nuthana
Grand Martial Showdown. Perhaps they all sought skilled fighters to safeguard their interests.
âEmmanuel, are you going to walk away like that?â Ashtonâs voice echoed behind them as they exited
together.
âOh, I suppose you expect me to treat you to dinner?â Emmanuel countered.
âHmph, I insist you return to the station for a chat. You just assaulted someone in public. Come with
me!â she demanded firmly.
He had no choice but to comply with her request.
âWell then, Emmanuel, you go with her. I will attend Ryderâs wedding on your behalf. If you can make it
in time, hurry back.â Amidst Mackenzieâs bustling schedule, she maintained a commendable sense of
decency and organization.
Despite her disdain for Ashton, she couldnât overlook that the policewoman had come to their aid twice.
Had it not been for Ashtonâs timely intervention, Mackenzie might have suffered public humiliation at
Susanâs hands.
âOkay.â He sighed resignedly and left, aware that lingering could be construed as resisting arrest.
Ashtonâs intent wasnât to interrogate Emmanuel but to learn internal strength from this man. After all,
Sage had emphasized the importance of seizing opportunities multiple times. Otherwise, sheâd be a
folly if she didnât take advantage.
Meanwhile, the wedding procession for Ryder led Tia to the Luxoria Hotel, where the event was taking
place.
Marianne, escorted to the venue, found herself utterly bewildered by the turn of events. She couldnât
help but wonder, Wasnât Tia just supposed to attend the wedding? How did she suddenly become the
bride? Have I somehow slipped into a different timeline?
âNo, I vehemently oppose this marriage!â She stormed into the dressing room, where Tia sat amidst
preparations. With conviction, she voiced her dissent, âRyder is not only old and unattractive but now
paralyzed too! Youâre my only daughter; I cannot allow you to marry such a man.â
Since divorcing her husband, Marianne and Tia had leaned on each other for support. Marianne even
hoped to climb the social ladder through her son-in-lawâs assistance. Yet, Ryder fell drastically short of
Marianneâs ideal image of a son-in-law, presenting a stark contrast to her expectations.
âMom, I wonât change my mind about this!â Tia pursed her lips in response to her motherâs disapproval,
her resolve unwavering. âI can feel that Ryder genuinely likes me. Though he may seem clumsy, and
yes, maybe even ugly to some, he has a good heart. I believe heâll treat me well in the future, and for
me, thatâs enough.â
âPfft, youâre my daughter. How could I not understand you?â Marianneâs excitement bubbled up, and
she blurted out, âYouâre practically itching to become Emmanuelâs sister-in-law, arenât you?â
âPfft, youâre my daughter. How could I not understand you?â Marianneâs excitement bubbled up, and
she blurted out, âYouâre practically itching to become Emmanuelâs sister-in-law, arenât you?â
âWell.â Tiaâs face flushed crimson in the dressing room, her embarrassment palpable. She mused, How
could Mom say such a thing with others around?
Roselynn entered the dressing room and inadvertently overheard Marianneâs comment. âMrs. Franks,
please donât worry. I treat Tia like a sister. If she marries into our family, we will take good care of her.ââ
âBut how? Ryder is paralyzed! How can you possibly care for my daughter?â Marianneâs words pierced
the air, igniting an even deeper emotional turmoil.
It wasnât that she doubted Roselynnâs sincerity, but some individuals were inherently resistant to
assistance, no matter how genuine. Regrettably, Marianne fell into that category.
Roselynn found herself at a loss for a suitable response. Before she could gather her thoughts, a
sudden commotion erupted at the dressing room entrance.
âMs. Quillen!â
âMs. Quillen has arrived!â
The arrival of Mackenzie brought a flurry of excitement. The Luxoria Hotel staff greeted her with an air
of reverence and enthusiasm, their demeanor reflecting the grandeur of the moment.
With the dressing room door left ajar, Marianne couldnât help but be transfixed by the scene unfolding
before her. Witnessing Mackenzieâs entrance, accompanied by an entourage of admirers, Marianne
couldnât suppress her awe. It was a natural reaction, borne of the stark contrast in status between
them.
Comments(0)
Join the discussion — sign in to leave a comment
Sign In to CommentNo comments yet. Be the first to share your thoughts!