Bethany seemed not to have heard Jessica’s words and instead walked up to Sophia, pretending to be surprised and said, “Sophia, you’re here too! How wonderful!”
“Bethany, congratulations on your wedding!” Sophia politely congratulated her.
After thanking Sophia, Bethany immediately introduced her man to her. “Sophia, this is my husband Mateo. He is the son of the Spencer family from the capital’s wealthy elite.”
Sophia looked at Mateo and he looked back at her. His gaze roamed up and down Sophia’s body once before he became a little dry-mouthed and absent-minded.
Noticing that Mateo was acting strangely with his gaze fixed on her body, Sophia quickly averted her eyes and politely said, “Hello Mr. Spencer.”
Mateo remained in a dazed state until Bethany pulled his arm back into focus.
“Ms. Henley,” said Mateo as soon as he regained his senses.
At the same time, Mateo extended his right hand wanting to shake hands with Sophia but she had already shifted all of her attention back onto Bethany again while ignoring Mateo’s outstretched hand completely.
Mateo could only retract his right hand awkwardly with an embarrassed expression on his face.
Seeing that Bethany was ignoring him completely made Jessica even more angry so she shouted, “Bethany! What kind of attitude is this? Can’t you hear me talking to you?”
Mateo gave Jessica a contemptuous look then coldly said, “Who do you think you are? If you dare shout like that again, I’ll have someone throw you out!”
Although Jessica loved throwing tantrums and being unreasonable sometimes, she still had some intelligence left in her brain so she knew very well that it wouldn’t be good for anyone if they offended such a wealthy young man like Mateo.
Just when things were getting more awkward by the minute, Lucia appeared with an apologetic expression saying, “Oh dear! Jessica, I should have told you about this earlier. It was because we’re like one big happy family together which is why I arranged your seats last… who sits where doesn’t really matter, does it?”
Sophia didn’t want any trouble caused by their mother at someone else’s wedding so she also tried persuading, “Mom, whether we sit in front or behind doesn’t really matter today. It’s Bethany’s big day after all so let’s just follow along.”
Jessica instinctively wanted to retort, but upon noticing Mateo’s cold gaze, she swallowed the words that were about to come out of her mouth.
The auspicious day had arrived and Bethany didn’t want Jessica to ruin the festive atmosphere. She whispered a few things to Mateo.
Mateo’s ugly expression eased up as he insincerely apologized to Jessica, “I’m sorry. I didn’t know it was you earlier and my words were offensive. Please forgive me.”
Mateo’s words gave Jessica an opportunity to step down from the stage and also made her sensitive and fragile heart feel slightly better.
Sophia couldn’t stand Mateo’s rude and lecherous gaze any longer, so she pulled Jessica away from their front-row seats.
Leo had been standing at the back observing everything with a cold eye. He was already mentally prepared for his mother-in-law Jessica’s meddling behavior. As long as Sophia wasn’t harmed, he wouldn’t take action.
Just as Sophia reluctantly walked with Jessica towards their last row seats, a grand group of people entered through the courtyard gate led by Colby William, the third son of the William family whom Leo knew well.
Colby’s appearance immediately attracted most of the guests’ attention including Mateo who quickly went up to greet him, “Mr. William! Welcome! It is my wedding day today.”
“Mateo,” Colby said with a hearty smile after they exchanged some warm greetings. “I came here especially for your big day. Congratulations!”
After scanning through all guests present in attendance including Leo, Colby purposely raised his voice saying, “Mateo, how could such people appear on such an important day? It’s really unlucky.”
Although Mateo understood who Colby was referring too, he still pretended not knowing what he meant, “Mr. William,” he said, “I don’t quite understand what you mean.”
“Ah,” replied Colby teasingly, “you are clever in some ways yet foolish in others… Langstel’s biggest waste, Henley family’s useless son-in-law is here at your wedding banquet right now! Don’t you think it brings bad luck?”
Mateo’s eyes fell on Leo while showing extreme disdainful expression on his face, “Mr. William,” he said sarcastically, “You’re absolutely right! I never thought there would be such a useless son-in-law at my wedding banquet… What do you think is the best way to handle this?”
“Just kick him out directly,” replied Colby nonchalantly, “out of sight out of mind.”
Mateo nodded in agreement and walked back to confront Leo with a disdainful and mocking tone. “Hey, freeloader, this is not the place for you to mooch off of others. Do you want to leave on your own or do I have to throw you out?”
As Mateo spoke, he pushed Leo’s chest with his hand.
To Mateo’s surprise, Leo didn’t budge at all despite his forceful push.
Unconvinced, Mateo pushed him again with even more strength.
But still, Leo remained rooted in place as if he was firmly planted on the ground.
“Huh! You may be a freeloader but you sure weigh a ton. Let me see if I can move you!” Mateo rolled up his sleeves and shouted before pushing both hands against Leo’s chest with all his might.
In the next moment, an odd sensation spread through Mateo’s hands as if he wasn’t pushing against a person but rather against cotton balls instead. Then suddenly an immense force rebounded back at him like a compressed spring releasing its stored energy.
Mateo stumbled backward several steps almost falling onto the ground from the impact of it all while Leo smirked at him menacingly. “Today is your wedding day so I don’t want to embarrass you too much. But don’t ever lay your hands on me again or else!”
Completely enraged now by what had happened earlier, Mateo stood firm and pointed accusingly at Leo while gritting his teeth in anger. “You worthless piece of trash! How dare you cause trouble here during my wedding banquet? You’ve just made yourself an enemy!”
“Guards!” He yelled out loudly calling for three burly men who appeared instantly behind him ready for action.
“Throw this freeloading waste out!” He ordered them furiously pointing towards where Leo stood defiantly before them all without any fear whatsoever.
“Yes sir!” The three guards immediately moved forward, readying themselves to attack. Suddenly, Sophia intervened shouting loudly enough for everyone present there could hear her clearly, “Stop it right now!”
A sharp exclamation sounded as Sophia stood in front of Leo. “Mateo, Leo is my husband. He came with me and my mom to attend your wedding with Bethany. We came here with blessings, yet you treat us like this. Don’t you find it absurd and ridiculous?'”
Mateo glanced at Sophia askew, remaining silent.
Sophia continued assertively, “Since you don’t welcome our presence, why bother sending us invitations? We have no interest whatsoever in attending your wedding banquet. Leo and I are leaving now!”