Ten days flew by. On the big day, the underworld was gathered in full force. It was a grand event, with people from all over coming to pay respects.
Dark Family’s private airstrip couldn’t even hold all the arriving planes, and luxury cars were streaming in and out. Every available Dark Family member was here for Ryan. The entire world of the underworld, along with other forces, had converged in New York City. It was even grander than their last peace summit.
All the countries, big and small, who had dealings with Dark Family, sent their congratulations in advance if they couldn’t show up openly. The Dark Family staff were buried in gifts-rare treasures flooding in at the rate of a constant stream, all for the face of Dark Family’s “Matriarch ,” Echo. After all, it wasn’t Ryan who had invited them-it was her.
Everyone, from the famous to the obscure, had gathered in honor of the Dark Family Boss’s wedding. For the Dark Family, it was monumental, but for the entire underworld, it was a historic event.
Ryan hadn’t invited the entire underworld to the wedding, but seeing the crowd that gathered didn’t faze him at all.
Hawk and the others seemed to have expected this turnout, mingling and greeting guests as if it was all part of the plan. The Dark Family members were polite and respectful, making sure to attend to each high-profile guest with the proper courtesy.
As night fell, the biggest event the underworld had seen in years was about to begin.
Sitting at the vanity, Echo glanced over at Edward and frowned. “Out, out! I’m trying to do my makeup here. Why are you hanging around giving me pointers? Go!”
Edward huffed and said, “Well, an ugly face won’t look any better with makeup.” But he backed out, waiting outside.
“Annoying little brat,” Echo muttered, huffing back at him.
“You’ll be the Dark Family’s Matriarch soon; try to carry yourself like one.” A calm voice floated in.
Echo looked over at the middle-aged woman standing nearby-the very woman she’d sparred with at Dark Family’s house that one time. Ryan had personally assigned her to do Echo’s makeup today.
“I’ve always wondered what to call you,” Echo said, unable to contain her curiosity any longer.
They’d never had a chance to talk alone before, so she took the opportunity to ask.
The woman kept her expression neutral, adjusting Echo’s dress as she answered in a steady voice, “I’m just a servant, Mrs. Ryan, no need for formalities.”
Echo raised an eyebrow, sensing the woman’s unwillingness to share more.
She left it at that, and after a quiet moment, the woman spoke again, her tone softer. “Ryan had a tough childhood. There wasn’t anyone around who truly cared for him. You should look out for him. No matter how strong he seems, he’s still human, with the same needs as anyone, maybe even more. He keeps everything inside until it builds up, and one day it’ll just turn him to ice.”
Echo took in her words and, noticing the woman’s age, asked, “You took care of him when he was young, didn’t you?”
“Yes, I was Mr. Ryan’s servant.”
Echo understood a bit more now. This woman was likely the one who’d cared for Ryan genuinely back then, perhaps the only one he trusted enough to keep by his side.
Echo nodded and said, “I’ll take good care of him.”
The woman gave a small nod in return and fell silent.
At eight, the ceremony began.
Edward took Echo’s arm as she stepped out. Her white wedding dress, custom-made, was elegant and modest, with her hair swept up simply. On her chest was a wolf insignia with a carved symbol-a tribute to the Dark Family-exuding class and dignity.
The grand Dark Family mansion was already crowded, and as soon as Echo appeared, the room filled with congratulations. Many of the underworld bosses, especially those who had been at the castle that one time, greeted Echo with extra warmth and respect. Everywhere she walked, people offered her their congratulations, bowing slightly as a gesture of honor.
Echo smiled, nodding in return. To save so many lives in the underworld was no small feat. Her efforts to unite the Dark Family with the Street Family had helped restore order amid the chaos. The gratitude and admiration from those around her were clear, but even she hadn’t anticipated the level of respect and esteem they now held for her.
Ryan wore a black suit, with the same wolf insignia on his chest as Echo’s-hers was red, his was purple. One wolf faced left, the other right. It was a symbol of the Dark Family’s generations of bosses and their wives. The black suit only made Ryan look more powerful and imposing.
As Echo stepped out, the crowd erupted in cheers and congratulations. A small smile crept onto Ryan’s lips as he watched.
Clement, standing next to him, smiled and walked forward to take Echo’s hand from Edward. He escorted her toward Ryan.
As they walked, the congratulatory shouts grew louder. People from all factions stood up, beaming as they watched Echo.
When they reached the two-thirds mark, Ryan had already made his way down to meet them. Clement, still smiling, placed Echo’s hand in Ryan’s. Ryan gripped her hand tightly, and Echo couldn’t help but smile up at him.
For once, Ryan returned the smile, and together, they walked to the highest point of the hall.
Turning to face the crowd, Ryan raised Echo’s hand high and declared, “My wife, Echo.”
“Congratulations, Mr. Ryan! Congratulations, Mrs. Ryan!”
“True love always…”
The cheers rang out, and after a brief pause, everyone in the room stood, bowing deeply to the couple. In unison, they said, “We salute Mrs. Ryan.”
Echo, still holding Ryan’s hand, smiled sweetly at him, then turned to the crowd with an elegant wave, saying, “No need for that.”
“Thank you, Mrs. Ryan.” The chorus of voices echoed, and after a brief silence, the congratulatory cheers picked up again.
Then, a voice full of warmth and humor rang out, “I now pronounce Ryan and Echo husband and wife.”
The previously loud celebrations came to an abrupt halt, and all eyes turned to the entrance. Ryan was already at the top of the underworld-who else would dare to make such an announcement?
At the doorway stood Kevin, dressed in a white suit that made him look even more striking. He flashed a charming smile at Echo and raised an eyebrow at Ryan, the look in his eyes full of challenge.
The room fell silent, caught off guard. No one expected Kevin to show up. Even though he and Ryan had been working together to handle the other bosses, this appearance made it clear that the alliance wasn’t as smooth as everyone had thought. His arrival-and the scene he’d just created-added an awkward tension to the atmosphere.
Ryan had never really known how to plan this wedding. People in his position were usually so well-established that a wedding wasn’t much of a spectacle anymore. No one could tell him how to do it right-he just did it his way.
The only way to gauge the wedding’s success was by the power of Echo, the future Lady of the Dark Family, and this wedding was certainly grand enough.
But Kevin’s comment-well, it took guts.
Ryan frowned slightly, but Echo just smiled and gently pulled him toward Kevin, saying, “Feel free to speak your mind.” After all, Kevin wasn’t married yet, so he’d have plenty of chances to come back around.
“Of course,” Kevin said with a teasing smile. He wasn’t trying to cause trouble-he just couldn’t let Echo down by not showing up. As for the Dark Family and the Street Family, well, there would be time to sort things out later.
As the music started playing, Echo took Ryan’s hand and led him onto the dance floor. They embraced, listening to the steady rhythm of his heartbeat, and in that moment, Echo realized-this was happiness. Maybe it was as simple as this.