The wedding was held in the morning. After returning from the church, a banquet was held at the most luxurious hotel in the city. Everywhere looked expensive, oozing the scent of money and privilege.
All the important figures of the city had arrived today. The hall was filled with prominent people.
Holding tall glasses, the guests were laughing and talking. However, secretly, they only cared about one thing. The scandal between the Bradley and the White family had been known.
Most people knew about Cristelle. They just needed a chance to gather more accurate information.
The topics about golfs and newly released luxurious jewelry were interesting. But none of them were as interesting as the new mysterious bride of the Bradley family.
They couldn’t wait to see this woman who managed to get the two houses into a war.
Meanwhile, in Linford’s villa, Candace only woke up when she heard the noises downstairs. She sat up and rubbed her eyes, whining, “Mommy, we’re getting late. Why didn’t you wake me up?”
Cristelle and Claire had put on their new dresses. They even got their makeup on. Candace became even more anxious. “Mom, why didn’t you call me earlier?”
Claire chuckled, “No hurry, sweetie. It’s just a wedding. People won’t blame you if you get a little bit late, right, Cristelle?”
“Is that true, Mom?” Candace looked at her Mom nervously.
“It will be fine, sweetie,” Cristelle also smiled, grabbing a comb to comb the little girl’s blond hair, “Your brother hadn’t ready as well. You can dress up first so we can wake him up in his room.”
Candace nodded, feeling less nervous.
****
The family of four arrived at the hall 30 minutes later together with Claire.
Cristelle could feel everyone suddenly looking in her direction the minute she stepped through the doors.
Linford looked pretty calm. In fact, he didn’t even look like he cared. Drew, Claire, and Fritzi also followed.
Candace looked a bit nervous as she noticed people’s inquisitive eyes. Cody, however, acted just like his Dad. The boy had no fear.
Linford slowed down and grabbed Cristelle’s hand, turning to her and smiling encouragingly.
Cristelle took in a deep breath and remained in her composure.
Candace looked exactly like her mother, and she was even prettier. People couldn’t stop looking at her.
Linford was not interested in walking around and chatting with anyone. So he found a table not far from the door and sat down.
“Mr. Bradley? You also came to the wedding?” A voice suddenly called, sounding quite surprised.
Linford looked up and saw the person who was talking to him, “Mr. Wayne? You’re also here?”
The man sitting by the table next to his was Mr. Wayne. Unfortunately, his wife was also near him. Mrs. Wayne looked away the minute she met Linford’s eyes. She was still a bit traumatized.
“White family asked me to come. So we came here today,” Mr. Wayne smiled, casting an eye at Cristelle, sounding hesitant, “I heard that…”
Linford poured himself a glass of wine, “Do you mind speaking straightforwardly, Mr. Wayne? You know I don’t have time for coded language.”
“Of course,” Mr. Wayne nodded, “I just saw a person from Cristelle’s hometown. I wonder…”
From my hometown?
Could it be Ingrid or Rose? Cristelle instantly started to have wild guesses.
She didn’t like those people.
Linford put a hand on Cristelle’s shoulder, “Don’t be scared. Those people won’t get what they want from you. I’m still here with you.”
Cristelle nodded silently.
Drew walked over, holding a glass of champagne, “Why don’t you walk around and talk to these poor devils? Some of them are craning their necks to wait for the chance to talk to you, Linford.”
Linford took a sip from his wine, “Then they can enjoy waiting.”
Drew shook his head, “You’re probably the only one who can be this annoying and not get kicked out.”
Cody rolled his eyes.
“And you, boy,” Drew gestured his glass of wine at Cody, “You’re exactly like your old man.”
Cody rolled his eyes even more aggressively.
****
Later, the bride and the groom came to toast.
Lana was smiling widely as she held on to Miles’ arm. She sounded genuinely happy as she walked over to their table in her white dress, “Linford! Cristelle! It’s so wonderful to see you guys.”
Linford looked impatient, but he still stood up from his chair. “Of course.”
Miles held up his glass of white wine, “It’s been a while, Linford. Please wait until dinner. We invited the best Japanese chef in the country. You’ve got to try the sashimi.”
Linford didn’t want to waste his time here, “I will be glad to have the meal if your wife doesn’t enjoy casually slipping things into other things. What did you slip into your belly last time, Lana? A baby? Have you found the father yet?”
Lana’s fake smile disappeared. Miles faltered, but he soon regained his composure, smiling at Linford again, “I don’t know what you’re talking about, Linford. But it doesn’t sound funny.”
“My bad then. I guess you’re not quite familiar with your wife yet. But it doesn’t matter because you still have the rest of your life to figure out who she really is. So congratulations, Miles,” Linford raised his glass, smiling, “You got yourself a wonderful wife.”
Linford’s words stung, but Lana could only keep smiling.
Miles blinked and went directly to Claire. “Do you like the refreshments, Miss Friesley?”
Claire went frozen. It took her a while to finally speak, “Are you talking to me right now, Mr. Johnson?”
Cristelle’s heart clenched. She knew this was inevitable.
Miles was smiling politely, “Indeed. Miss Friesley. What? You forgot about me so soon. I have to admit it hurt my feelings.”
Claire put down the pale of refreshments and stared into his eyes, “Of course, I would never forget you, Mr. Johnson.”
“Good,” Miles’s smile grew cold, “It’s my honor.”
Cody started to get a bit impatient, “Mr. Johnson, Mrs. Johnson, could you guys go after finishing your drink? You both are shady, and I still want to have some nice refreshments. The wedding has no taste whatsoever classy as it should, but the food is good. Can you leave our table alone and go be polite to other guests? Because we really don’t need that.”
Miles faltered. His face fell the next second.