“I’D MARRY A HOMELESS DRIFTER BEFORE I MARRY YOU!” CANCELING HER MANHATTAN WEDDING WHEN HER GROOM DEMANDED SHE SHAVE HER HEAD, BUT THEY DID’NT KNOW…

“Darling, I’ll be there at twelve o’clock sharp,” a deep male voice announced to the entire cathedral.

“The big surprise for your ex is all ready to go.”

“Oh, I have a huge surprise for you, all right,” Ella said, looking directly at Kyle.

“I’m calling off the wedding.”

“It’s just a phone call,” Kyle scoffed, crossing his arms.

“Who do you think you’re fooling? I don’t buy it.”

“Don’t be in such a hurry,” Ella said, pulling a massive binder from her bag.

“Since you gave me a hundred rules of wifely virtues, I’m giving you a bill. You’ve spent fifteen million, five hundred eighty-six thousand, four hundred and thirty-two dollars of my money over the last five years. You will pay back every single cent.”

“Huh, those were all voluntary gifts!” Kyle shouted defensively.

“I’m not paying back a dime!”

“The tens of millions you conned out of me must be returned, or I’ll make sure you rot in federal prison,” Ella warned, her voice like ice.

“Ella, have you lost your damn mind?” Kyle demanded, stepping aggressively toward her.

“Today is our wedding day! You’re making a scene on purpose just to humiliate me, aren’t you?”

“And you making me recite those virtues and shave my head in public?” Ella fired back.

“That wasn’t meant to humiliate me?”

“You said you loved me!” Kyle argued.

“I was giving you a chance to prove how much. You should be thanking me!”

“Why on earth should I love you?” Ella asked.

“Because you cheated? Or because you spent our entire wedding day plotting to calculate and degrade me?”

“Have you forgotten that five years ago, I was the one who saved your life?” Kyle shouted, playing his trump card.

“Oh, so he’s her savior,” a guest murmured in realization.

“That’s right.”

“If it wasn’t for my son, you’d be dead by now!” Mrs. Carter yelled triumphantly.

“Ella, so what if I spent tens of millions?” Kyle demanded.

“The Worth family has trillions. It should all be given to me as a reward!”

“Save me?” Ella laughed bitterly.

“If you were truly my savior, I would gladly give you every penny of the Worth family fortune. But are you?”

“Of course,” Kyle lied without flinching.

“I was the first person you saw when you woke up. I was the one who took care of you in the hospital, wasn’t I? Are you trying to back out on your debt?”

“That’s because you were nothing more than a hospital orderly,” Ella revealed, her voice carrying to the very back row.

“Besides, my attending physician back then, Dr. Cole, can testify to that.”

“Dr. Cole is a chief physician at Mayo Clinic,” Kyle scoffed, shaking his head.

“There’s no way in hell he’d come here to testify for you.”

“Please come in, Dr. Cole,” Ella called out toward the side entrance.

An older man in a tailored suit walked forward.

“Dr. Cole, was he the one who saved me five years ago?” Ella asked.

“Absolutely not,” the doctor said firmly into the microphone.

“You’re just an ER doctor!” Kyle panicked, his face turning pale.

“How the hell could you remember someone you treated five years ago?”

“I remember because the person who carried Miss Worth to the hospital was the heir of the Hall family,” Dr. Cole stated clearly.

“And here is the payment receipt from back then. The signatures aren’t yours, Kyle. Besides, neither the old you nor the current you could ever afford this three hundred and twenty thousand dollar medical bill.”

“Kyle, how much longer are you going to keep pretending to be my savior?” Ella asked, crossing her arms.

“So what if I’m a fake!” Kyle screamed, abandoning the lie.

“Even if I didn’t save you, it’s a fact that you’ve been my bootlicker for five years!”

“Exactly!” his mother agreed, utterly shameless.

“Ella, the wedding is already happening,” Mrs. Carter continued, forcing a smile.

“What does it matter who saved you? Can’t you two now just live your lives together?”

“Mom, don’t try to talk sense into her,” Kyle spat.

“Let her play tough. Even if I don’t get married today, I guarantee she’ll regret this for the rest of her life. Besides, you’re just a bitch! If you won’t marry me, I still have Lily. She’s a hundred times better than you. As for you, it’s noon, and the man you’re waiting for still hasn’t shown up. You made him up, didn’t you?”

“Ella, your surprise has arrived,” a voice boomed from the back of the cathedral.

“He’s here,” someone whispered.

Six massive construction workers marched down the center aisle, carrying a fully assembled camping tent between them. They set it down right in the middle of the marble floor.

“Ridiculous,” Mrs. Carter gasped.

“This is absolutely ridiculous. What’s going on? Is it an earthquake?”

“No, wait,” a female voice cried out from inside the tent.

“I think we’re being lifted up!”

“Darling, I’m here right on time with your surprise,” Xavier said, stepping out from behind the workers.

“From now on, he’s mine,” Ella announced, taking Xavier’s arm.

“You’re out, Kyle.”

“This drifter?” Kyle laughed hysterically.

“He thinks he can compete with me? He looks at least five or six years older than you. Can he even perform in bed anymore? So what if I’m older?”

“I told you I’d rather marry a beggar than you,” Ella stated coldly.

“You bitch!” Kyle screamed.

“A beggar is exactly what you deserve! Old men, lowlifes. And once I’m done with you, I can still marry Lily. She’s prettier, younger, and loves me way more than you ever did. Compared to her, you aren’t worth a single strand of hair.”

“Then you’d better take a good look at the grand gift I’ve prepared for you,” Ella said, pointing directly at the tent.

“Oh my god, what should I do?” the female voice whimpered from inside the nylon walls.

“If Kyle finds out, I’m dead.”

“Stop whining about what to do,” a male voice grunted from inside.

“Think of a way out now.”

“A surprise?” Kyle mocked, looking at Ella.

“You’re scared now that you know I’m marrying Lily, aren’t you? Look at the gifts Ella usually gets me. Nothing but cash and gold. Tacky as hell.”

“What I have for you today isn’t gold or cash,” Ella said with a slow smile.

“Today’s gift will definitely be a shocking surprise for all of you.”

“Wait,” Mrs. Carter interrupted, grabbing her son’s arm.

“Kyle, this bitch just embarrassed you like that. You better not go soft on Ella.”

“Don’t worry, Mom. Even if Ella brought a mountain of gold today and begged me on her knees, I wouldn’t forgive Ella that easily.”

“Ella, it won’t be that easy to marry into our family,” Mrs. Carter announced proudly to the room.

“Lily is the only daughter-in-law I’ll ever accept. Lily is pure and sweet. A whore like Ella could never compare to her.”

“Kyle, take a good look at what kind of woman your precious Lily really is,” Ella commanded.

She ripped the zipper of the tent open.

“Oh my god!” the crowd gasped in unison.

Inside the tent, Lily was desperately trying to pull her clothes back on, tangled up with another half-naked man.

“Look at them,” a guest whispered.

“Isn’t this the same Lily they described as an absolute saint? The one who’s supposedly so devoted to Kyle?”

“Oh, wow, it really is Miss Lily,” another noted.

“No, no, you’ve got the wrong person!” Lily shrieked, covering her face.

“Did I? Am I really mistaken? Kyle, isn’t this your precious Lily?” Ella asked, her voice dripping with venom.

“Shut the hell up!” Kyle yelled at Ella, his face completely pale.

“I guess I was wrong then,” Ella mocked.

“Since Lily is so pure in your eyes, there’s no way she’d be having a tawdry tryst with another man right in the middle of a camping trip, right?”

“Exactly, exactly, you definitely have the wrong person,” Lily sobbed from inside the tent.

“Let’s go. Go on then, just a big misunderstanding.”

“Stop right there!” Kyle screamed, lunging at the tent.

“Stop right there! You lied to me! You said you were camping with your girlfriends, but you’re here screwing around with another man?”

“Let go of me!” Lily screamed as Kyle grabbed her by the hair.

“Let go of me! Get your hands off her!” the man in the tent yelled, trying to push Kyle away.

“Didn’t you just say how pure and kind she is?” Ella asked lazily, leaning against a pew.

“Turning on her so quickly? At least let her explain herself.”

“Explain what?” Kyle roared, turning back to Ella.

“A tent, a man, and her clothes in a mess? What the hell is there to explain?”

“Even if she did sleep with a man, so what?” Ella countered, throwing his own logic back at him.

“If you love her, you have to accept everything about her. She only betrayed you for one night. But you, you’ve been betraying me for five whole years.”

“A woman’s mistake is not the same as a man’s!” Kyle shouted, completely unhinged.

“How is it any different?” Ella demanded, her voice cutting like glass.

“You can mess around, but others can’t? You love eating garbage, but you won’t let anyone else have a bite? Even a dog should have limits when guarding its food.”

“Ella Worth, you say one more word, and I’ll make you regret it!” Kyle screamed, raising his fist to strike her.

“I dare you!”

“You dare lay a finger on her,” Xavier stepped forward in a flash, grabbing Kyle’s wrist and twisting it hard.

“Stay the hell out of my business!” Kyle yelled. Then his wrist popped.

“Ow! Screaming! Let go of me!”

“Hurts now, does it? You deserve it,” Xavier said coldly, tossing him to the floor.

“Get your hands off my son!” Mrs. Carter shrieked, rushing forward.

“Remember this,” Xavier announced to the room, putting his arm around Ella.

“Ella is my woman now. You better watch your tone when you speak to her.”

“What a mess,” a guest whispered.

“Lily and that scumbag are both pure trash. Ella, you were so right to dump him.”

“Lily! Don’t be in such a hurry to leave!” Mrs. Carter screamed as Lily tried to crawl out the back of the tent.

“Stop right there! Did I say you could leave? Get back here! You conned my son out of so much money and then you go and crawl into another man’s bed?”

“Get off me!” Lily screamed, kicking wildly.

“What happens between me and your son is none of your business, you old hag!”

“Lily, your designer jewelry, every single cent you spent, I paid for all of it!” Kyle yelled from the floor.

“If I spent your money?” Lily spat back.

“Your money? Every single penny of it belongs to Ella! She gave it to me, so it’s mine!”

“Kyle, don’t you dare,” Ella warned, looking down at him.

“All the heart I put into your family, I might as well have fed it to the stray dogs.”

“Ella, you… do you have a death wish?” Kyle seethed, scrambling to his feet.

“Typical bully. Tough until someone fights back.”

“Kyle, you dare hit me?” Lily shrieked as he slapped her across the face.

“You’re damn right I did!” Kyle screamed.

“Ella, have you lost your mind? How dare you hit me?” Kyle yelled as Ella slapped him on the other cheek.

“You betrayed me, too. Don’t you deserve it?” Ella said, her voice completely flat.

“Kyle, you’ll be receiving a court summons very soon. We are finished.”

“Ella, please,” Kyle suddenly dropped to his knees, reality finally hitting him.

“Forgive me just this once.”

“Get off me!” Ella said in disgust as he grabbed her dress.

“I just made a temporary mistake. Please forgive me. You’re the only one I love.”

“You’re not sorry, Kyle,” Ella said, stepping back.

“You’re just terrified. You’re afraid of losing everything. Afraid of going back to your pathetic, penniless life. You’re afraid I’ll sue you into bankruptcy and you’ll rot in prison.”

“Ella, I’m begging you. I’ll do whatever you say from now on. I’ll be your dog. Have you forgotten how much you used to love me?”

“Stay the hell away from Ella,” Xavier commanded, stepping between them.

“This is all on you. Rot in prison for the rest of your miserable life.”

“Kyle, I’m sorry,” Lily cried, grabbing his leg. “I was just messing around. It was a joke.”

“Drag her out!” Kyle screamed to the security guards.

“I was joking with you, Kyle! You swore you’d treat me right for the rest of your life!” Lily sobbed as they pulled her away.

“Forgive me,” Kyle begged, looking up at Ella.

“It was a moment of weakness. You’re the only one I’ve ever loved.”

“The court summons will arrive soon. We’re done here,” Ella repeated.

“Don’t touch her!” Xavier warned as Kyle lunged again.

“You? A homeless drifter and you dare tell me what to do?” Kyle scoffed, looking at Xavier’s dusty clothes.

“Show some respect to our boss,” one of the construction workers growled, stepping forward.

“Boss? What? Hauling bricks makes you a boss now? Don’t embarrass yourself,” Kyle sneered.

“The only one embarrassing himself is you,” Xavier replied calmly.

“I already kicked Lily out. What more do you want?” Kyle demanded, turning back to Ella.

“Ella, a woman needs to beg forgiveness. Do you still want to be part of this family or not?”

“You think I care about your family? This wedding is off,” Ella stated for the final time.

“Stop this,” Mrs. Carter pleaded, looking around at the whispering crowd.

“All these guests are watching. Don’t turn this into a circus.”

“I came here today for one reason,” Ella said loudly.

“To tell you I’m not marrying you.”

“You broke with your entire family for me. You spent half a year planning this and now you’re just calling it off?” Kyle demanded.

“Stop wasting breath. Get lost,” Xavier said, pointing to the door.

“You’re throwing me away for this filthy drifter?” Kyle yelled at Ella.

“That’s right. I’d marry a drifter before I’d marry you.”

“The Worth heiress choosing some sweat-stained bottom feeder? Take a whiff of that stench,” Mrs. Carter mocked.

“I don’t smell anything,” Ella replied coldly.

“He pours concrete. So what?” Mrs. Carter scoffed. “Without me, you’re nothing but a glorified orderly in a hospital, Kyle! Wait, what am I saying?”

“Without me, you’re nothing but a glorified orderly in a hospital,” Ella corrected, glaring at Kyle.

“I’m at a top-tier hospital and he hauls bricks. You think he’s worthy of being compared to me?” Kyle demanded proudly.

“We all earn with our hands,” Xavier said. “There’s no higher or lower in honest work.”

“Yeah, working in a hospital isn’t any more noble than working a construction site,” a guest murmured in agreement.

“This is my wedding. You don’t get to run your mouth here,” Kyle snapped at Xavier.

“Back then, you were just a temp,” Ella reminded him. “You were never better than him.”

“I’m beneath him? I own a cosmetic surgery clinic!” Kyle bragged.

“A clinic I paid for with my money,” Ella shot back. “Without Ella, you’d still be begging for scraps,” Xavier added.

“We belong together. What does some lowlife like him have to compare?” Kyle insisted.

“Enough. Pay me back,” Ella demanded.

“We’re about to get married. You’re really going to nickel and dime me over this?” Kyle asked, completely delusional.

“What’s mine is mine. You lied to me. You owe me every cent. And without me, tens of millions is more than you’d earn in ten lifetimes.”

“All these guests are watching. You really want to humiliate me like this?”

“You faked being my savior. You scammed my love, you scammed my money. Now you want dignity?” Ella asked in disbelief.

“You have no shame,” Xavier said. “You never saved Ella.”

“Vincent, I want the lawsuit against Kyle Carter filed now,” Ella spoke into her phone.

“This is how you treat the man who saved your goddamn life?” Kyle screamed.

“Drop the act,” Xavier said, stepping forward. “I know the truth. He’s been pretending to be the one who saved you this whole time.”

“If I hadn’t believed his lies, I never would have loved him for five years,” Ella admitted, her voice trembling slightly.

“I thought your judgment was clouded from the accident. Turns out you were just deceived,” Xavier said softly to her.

“Shut your mouth, you filthy drifter. Get the hell out,” Kyle yelled. “You’re just going to stand there and let him attack me?”

“Are you still dreaming?” Ella scoffed.

“You look familiar,” Dr. Cole said, adjusting his glasses and staring at Xavier. “You were the ER doctor five years ago… wait, no. That’s right. And I remember you.”

“You two know each other?” Kyle asked nervously.

“Five years ago, I brought you to the hospital,” Xavier said, looking directly at Ella. “I even argued with him over a bed for you. It was him. The man who saved you, who got you to the hospital, was him.”

“No! You’re all in on this together! There’s no such coincidence!” Kyle screamed, pulling his hair.

“Shut your mouth,” Xavier ordered.

“Are you sure?” Ella asked, looking up at Xavier with wide eyes.

“I remember it. Here’s the hospital record. The signatory, surname Hall,” Dr. Cole confirmed, holding up a file.

“Hall? What’s your full name?” Ella asked, her heart racing.

“Xavier Hall.”

“It was you. Five years ago, you were the one who saved me.”

“That car crash? Yes. I pulled you out.”

“I was the one who got you to the hospital. I fought with the doctor,” Xavier explained softly.

“We’ve got surveillance footage, nurse testimony. It wasn’t him!” Kyle screamed defensively.

“I was unconscious. I didn’t recognize you. But you recognized me. Why didn’t you say something?” Ella asked Xavier, completely ignoring Kyle.

“Of course I recognized you,” Xavier smiled gently. “Otherwise, when you showed up in the slums and made such an absurd request, why would I have agreed?”

“Absurd request? Why have you been hiding this from me?” Ella asked, tears welling in her eyes.

“What happened back then was no coincidence.”

“It’s been five years. No point digging up the past,” Xavier said modestly.

“After I brought you to the hospital, I left money for your treatment, hired a caregiver to look after you.”

“He was the caregiver?” Ella realized, pointing at Kyle.

“Yes,” Xavier nodded.

“When I woke up, he was the one I saw. He lied to me, said he was the one who saved me.”

“You stole my deed. You deceived her for five years,” Xavier said, glaring at Kyle.

“You hit me! Let me go! Ella, help me!” Kyle screamed as the construction workers grabbed him. “Five years of love and you’re just throwing it away?”

“Let go of my son! You can’t do this!” Mrs. Carter shrieked.

“Boss, what do we do with this guy?” a worker asked.

“Throw him out,” Xavier ordered.

“No. He still owes me money. He’s not going anywhere,” Ella corrected.

“Ella! You’re just going to stand there and watch them humiliate me?” Kyle begged.

“You were with Kyle because you thought you owed him a life debt,” Xavier said, taking Ella’s hands in his. “But the one who saved you was me. If you don’t marry me, this is going to be very hard to walk back.”

“Are you serious?” Ella asked, a genuine smile breaking across her face.

“Dead serious. Ella Worth, will you marry me?”

“Say yes! Say yes!” the workers cheered.

“Yes. I will,” Ella smiled, tears finally falling.

“I object! I don’t accept this!” a sharp, authoritative voice echoed from the back of the cathedral.

“I object!”

“This is Mrs. Worth. Perfect timing,” a guest whispered as a beautifully dressed older woman marched down the aisle.

“Stop, Ella. Right now, before she humiliates this family any further,” Mrs. Worth commanded.

“Mom, what are you doing here?” Ella asked, stepping in front of Xavier.

“If I hadn’t come, you’d have dragged the Worth name through the mud.”

“I’m not causing a scene. I formally called off the wedding. I’m not marrying Kyle.”

“You’re really not marrying me? So you can marry this homeless drifter you hired?” Kyle laughed from the floor.

“What’s wrong with being a drifter?” Xavier asked respectfully. “I earn my living with my own two hands.”

“He doesn’t steal. He doesn’t cheat. He has more integrity than someone,” Ella defended him.

“And more importantly, he’s the man who saved my life five years ago.”

“Enough!” Mrs. Worth snapped. “Family business. Stay out of it,” she warned Xavier.

“Boss, stand down,” a worker said, pulling back.

“A pack of uncivilized brutes, and you think you belong in high society?” Mrs. Worth sneered at the workers.

“Mom. Don’t make this harder for him. I’m serious this time,” Ella pleaded.

“You’ve been serious every time, and every time you’ve been deceived. He’s nothing like Kyle.”

“Five years ago, the car crash, he saved my life. Without him, I’d be dead. Without him, I would have died five years ago.”

“You’re too naive. People take advantage of that.”

“And what makes you so sure he’s taking advantage of me?” Ella demanded.

“I saved her life. Not for her status, not for her money,” Xavier stated clearly.

“If he wanted money, he would have claimed credit back then. He never would have let Kyle steal it,” Ella reasoned.

“Mom, because he didn’t seek recognition, I was deceived by Kyle for five whole years.”

“First, you defied the entire family for Kyle, ran away from home, insisted on marrying him, and now today, for this stranger who just appeared, you’re calling off the wedding in front of everyone? Marriage isn’t a game. You don’t do whatever you want.”

“Kyle lied to me, used me, humiliated me. Was I wrong to call it off? Now, I want to marry the man who actually saved my life. Shouldn’t you be supporting me?” Ella asked, her voice cracking.

“He saved you, fine. Repay him with money, with resources. You don’t have to throw your entire life away.”

“He’s kind, he’s honest, he works hard. What exactly do you have against someone like that?”

“Does good character pay the bills? Does it uphold the Worth name?”

“You brought all these people here to pressure me, to force me back to Kyle. Isn’t that right?” Ella accused.

“Even Kyle is way better than this drifter you’ve chosen.”

“No.”

“Then I’ll just die.”

“No!”

“Mrs. Worth, wise decision,” Kyle laughed, standing up and brushing himself off. “Ma’am, this man is cunning. He’s not what he seems. Ella and I spent five years together.”

“You’re the one who ruined everything!” Ella shouted.

“You must be on guard against him. He’s the real fraud,” Kyle continued to Mrs. Worth.

“Kyle, you impersonated the Hall heir and deceived me for five years. You lied to me all this time, and now you have the nerve to play the saint in front of my mother?”

“I lied to you, yes, but my love for you is real. I just don’t want you to be tricked by this drifter.”

“Enough,” Mrs. Worth commanded. “I will never, never consent to my daughter marrying some cement worker.”

“Mrs. Worth, I’ll treat her right. I swear, I won’t let you down,” Xavier promised.

“I’m even less inclined to let her marry you.”

“But Ella and I have five years of love,” Kyle whined.

“She was just deceived by you,” Xavier said. “Once she comes to her senses, she’ll realize she can’t live without me,” Kyle argued.

“Delusional,” Ella scoffed.

“I will never allow my daughter to marry down,” Mrs. Worth finalized.

“The Worth family has money. If I had the seed capital, with my mind, I’ll surpass the Hall family. I’ll become the next richest man in New York,” Kyle boasted to Mrs. Worth.

“Hm. Possible,” she humored him.

“Come back when you’re the wealthiest man,” Xavier challenged quietly.

“Mom, you always told me I could choose my own husband. If he was rich, that’s a bonus. If he wasn’t, as long as he was sincere, you’d support me. Are you going back on that now?”

“I gave you freedom to choose, but this choice I can’t trust.”

“I’m an adult. My choice, my responsibility. What is there to worry about?”

“Back then, the Hall family opposed Kyle, and you insisted on having your way. And now this Xavier, you’re going to make me, make the Worth family lose dignity all over again for him?”

“Xavier is nothing like Kyle,” Ella promised.

“What’s different? Kyle was just a hospital temp. You threw money at him, and behind your back he was fooling around. This broke drifter now, he’s exactly the same as Kyle was back then. Ella, wake up!”

“Ma’am, I think you’ve misunderstood. I can provide for myself, and I can provide for Ella,” Xavier said firmly. “I’m not like Kyle. I won’t spend Ella’s money. I won’t live off a woman.”

“Do you have any idea what kind of life my daughter has lived? A drifter saying you can provide for her?”

“I can give her the life she deserves,” Xavier stated.

“Enough. Your excuses are meaningless. My daughter must marry within her station. I will never permit her to marry down.”

“Ma’am, I have money. I don’t need Ella’s subsidy. My money can all be spent on her.”

“Our boss does have money,” a worker piped up.

“Mating the drifter, I’m sure you mention trying to buy her one handbag,” Mrs. Worth mocked. “Now tell me straight. If I want to marry Ella, how much in personal assets is required? Just give me a number.”

“At least one billion dollars,” Mrs. Worth demanded coldly.

“Mom, are you making this impossible for him?” Ella gasped.

“Ella, my mom’s setting an impossible bar. Don’t force it,” Kyle snickered.

“It’s not impossible,” Xavier said casually.

“Not impossible?” Mrs. Worth raised an eyebrow.

“Show me,” Kyle laughed. “Don’t say things you can’t back up. Do you even know what a billion dollars means?”

“I know, and I happen to have it.”

“You have a billion? You?” Kyle laughed hysterically. “You could work construction for five hundred years and never touch a billion. Shameless.”

“Right, absolutely shameless. If you don’t have it, don’t bluff. I don’t care if you have money or not,” Mrs. Worth sighed.

“I’m not lying. Just a billion, that’s nothing.”

“Of course our boss has it,” a worker nodded.

“Just a billion? What arrogance,” Mrs. Worth shook her head. “Look at the man you’ve chosen. Lies pouring out of his mouth. A billionaire drifter and you believe that?”

“All I want from you is honesty,” Ella said, looking at Xavier.

“I have never told you a single lie,” Xavier promised.

“Then verify it. Prove it, if you’ve got the guts,” Kyle challenged.

“You don’t get a say here. If you really have it, show them,” Mrs. Worth demanded.

Xavier reached into his dusty pocket and pulled out a sleek, heavy metal card. “This card has a credit line of exactly one billion.”

“A black card? A Swiss Bank Imperial Black Card?” a guest gasped in the front row.

“A Swiss Bank Black Card? Global limited issue. Only a handful in existence. That’s just the appetizer. I have more.”

“You’ve got a decent eye. This is indeed a globally limited Swiss Bank Black Card,” Xavier nodded.

“Can you believe this? A dirt-covered drifter pulling out a Swiss Bank card?” a guest whispered.

“You’ve got some nerve forging this. With acting skills like that, why aren’t you in Hollywood?” Kyle mocked.

“Right, at least make the act believable. Savior, do you know what a black card signifies? How could you forge something like this?” Mrs. Worth sighed.

“It’s not a forgery. It’s real.”

“I know you’re trying to back me up,” Ella whispered to Xavier. “I get it, but you don’t have to. I accept you exactly as you are. I don’t look down on you.”

“Ella, I would never deceive you, and I would never wave a fake in front of your mother.”

“Stop forcing this. You want to humiliate yourself? Fine. Let me help. Mark, bring a credit card machine to Our Lady of Angels Cathedral immediately. I’m verifying this card’s authenticity in front of everyone,” Mrs. Worth commanded. “If it’s fake, you’re not walking out of here today.”

“Manager Mark confirmed, the machine will be here within three minutes. Today, I’ll expose you completely,” Kyle gloated.

“Ma’am, if this card genuinely holds one billion dollars, you must consent to Ella and me being together,” Xavier said confidently.

“Tell enough lies, you start believing them yourself. Let’s see what you’ve got when the verification comes,” Mrs. Worth sneered.

“I thought you were sincere. I never imagined you’d be this vain, bluffing to save face,” Ella said, looking slightly worried.

“No, I have the money.”

“Miss Ella, my boss never exaggerates,” a worker smiled.

“That’s right, the boss never lies.”

“All of you, quiet,” Mrs. Worth commanded. “It’s almost here. The moment of truth begins now. Five, four, three, two, one.”

“Mrs. Worth, the machine is here,” Manager Mark said, rushing down the aisle with a wireless terminal.

“What are you trying to do, beat me?” Xavier asked Kyle, who was standing entirely too close.

“Now, do you have anything to say? Anything left to say?” Kyle taunted.

“Go ahead,” Xavier said, sliding the card.

“To prove the machine isn’t rigged, I’ll verify my own card first. Everyone, bear witness. Account balance, three hundred and fifty million,” Mrs. Worth announced as she swiped her own card.

“Three hundred and fifty million? The Worth family’s wealth is real,” a guest whispered.

“The Worth family is loaded. A single card, hundreds of millions. I truly regret offending Miss Ella,” Lily muttered from the back of the church.

“Now, your turn. Still sure you want to do this?” Mrs. Worth asked.

“Absolutely.” Xavier swiped the heavy metal card.

The machine beeped. A robotic voice echoed over the terminal speaker: “Esteemed Swiss Bank Black Gold VIP User. Account balance: One Billion Dollars.”

“One billion?” Kyle gasped, stumbling backward. “He actually has one billion. How is this possible?”

“One billion? You’re a drifter. How the hell do you have one billion?” Mrs. Worth demanded, her eyes wide.

“You… how do you have this kind of money?” Ella asked, completely shocked.

“I told you, I have it.”

“Madam, Miss Ella, do you believe my boss now?” a worker asked proudly.

“Boss? Don’t tell me you’re some tycoon’s illegitimate son,” Kyle accused.

“I’m no illegitimate son,” Xavier said, his voice dropping an octave. “The Hall family has been a single line for eight generations. There are no illegitimate children.”

“A drifter worthy of a billion dollars?” Mrs. Worth murmured.

“Kyle, what the hell are you doing?” Lily shouted as Kyle grabbed the terminal and shook it.

“Thank you for the verification, ma’am. Now, will you consent to Ella and me being together?” Xavier asked.

“No,” Mrs. Worth replied stubbornly. “Mrs. Worth, take a good look at him. Does he look like a man with a billion dollars?”

“The terminal just verified the balance. Real or fake, it speaks for itself,” Xavier pointed out.

“What more do you people want?” Ella pleaded.

“The card’s real, the man isn’t. Could be stolen, could be robbed,” Kyle argued desperately.

“Even if there are low-profile billionaires, none of them have your aura. Clearly not born of pedigree,” Mrs. Worth judged.

“Ma’am, you demanded one billion in assets. I’ve met that requirement. Why do you still refuse?”

“One billion isn’t enough to match the Worth threshold. The Worth family is one of the eight great houses of Manhattan. You’re reaching above your station.”

“The Worth family is indeed one of the eight great houses,” Xavier nodded. “But the Hall family, the family at the top, the one that controls the four great conglomerates…”

“Greetings, Master Hall!” the workers suddenly shouted in unison, bowing deeply.

“Are you insane?” Kyle laughed hysterically. “You think you can name-drop the Hall family? Just because your surname is Hall? You think you’re from the Hall family? Head of the eight great houses? King of the four conglomerates?”

“I don’t need to name-drop,” Xavier said, pulling his shoulders back. “I am the 36th generation direct heir of the Hall family, Xavier Hall.”

“Still acting? Would the Hall heir dress like this? Look like you?” Kyle sneered.

“He’s right. Nothing like it. What kind of heir lives among drifters? Dresses like a cement worker?” Mrs. Worth agreed.

“Ella, a man so full of grandiose lies, you truly want to marry him?” Kyle asked.

“A black card can be found, borrowed. The Hall heir identity can be verified with a single inquiry. I’m not afraid of investigation,” Xavier offered.

“Stop talking. To make my mother accept you, to save face, you’d impersonate the Hall heir?” Ella asked softly.

“Yes. Impersonation. How is this any different from Kyle pretending to be my savior, scamming my love, scamming my money?”

“You compare me to him? Grandfather, send someone. Verify my identity,” Xavier spoke into his phone.

“You dare lie in public, shameless. Ella trusted you. Is this how you repay her?” Kyle demanded.

“You’re no better. Stay away from my daughter,” Mrs. Worth ordered.

“Mrs. Worth, I have proof. I can prove he’s lying,” Kyle said, pulling out a tablet.

“If you’ve got proof, present it.”

“Kyle, stop your theatrics. This has nothing to do with you,” Ella warned.

“Ella, he’s lying to you. Why do you keep defending him?”

“You lied to me for my money. He’s different,” Ella stated.

“Is he? That black card isn’t even his. He says it is. I believe him,” Ella replied firmly.

“Fine. From the day he showed up, I had people digging. Now, let me show everyone the evidence,” Kyle said, connecting his tablet to the church projector. A video played of Xavier carrying bags of concrete.

“Xavier, you dare deny that’s you hauling cement?” Kyle asked triumphantly.

“Why would I deny it? I was conducting an inspection at one of my family’s subsidiary sites,” Xavier explained calmly.

“Inspection? Everyone hear that? The Hall heir, hundred-billion-dollar heir, slamming it with drifters for an inspection? You believe this crap?” Kyle laughed.

“Even if I wear a worker’s uniform, Hall Cement, I am still the Hall family heir. The sole heir. Even in worker’s clothes, playing a drifter, I am the sole heir of the Hall family.”

“Impressive. What a performance. Hired actors and everything. Everyone, look at the screen again,” Kyle commanded. A new video showed Xavier jumping over a massive iron fence in the dark.

“This is… why were you scaling a wall?” Ella asked.

“Obviously, stealing,” Mrs. Worth deduced.

“Where this is… this is the Hall family main residence! You scaled the wall of the Hall estate to steal!” Kyle yelled.

“You broke into the Hall residence to steal?” Mrs. Worth gasped.

“That’s my own home,” Xavier sighed.

“You go home by scaling walls, not the front gate? Who are you fooling?” Kyle demanded.

“That day the entire estate had a power outage. The security gate malfunctioned. I had no choice but to climb over into my own house.”

“Lie after lie. You think we’re all idiots?” Mrs. Worth asked.

“Ridiculous. What kind of heir climbs walls to get home?”

“Ella, after all this, you still can’t see what kind of man he is?” Kyle pleaded.

“I haven’t lied to you. I truly am the Hall heir. They can all testify for me,” Xavier said, gesturing to the workers.

“Our boss is indeed the Hall family heir.”

“Ella, don’t be naive. They’re all his accomplices, in on it together,” Kyle warned.

“Ella, a black card can be found, but an identity? How could I dare falsely claim the Hall name? I would deceive anyone, but never you.”

“He’s not the type to lie about his identity,” Ella said to her mother.

“Even now, you still claim to be the Hall heir?” Mrs. Worth asked.

“Of course. I am. Since you don’t believe me, I’ll call my grandfather right now. He can testify.”

“Enough with the theatrics. Your mask is off now. Apologize to Mrs. Worth, to everyone,” Kyle demanded.

“You’re the one who should apologize.”

“Mrs. Worth, you see this? He’s running wild with his bodyguards. If Ella ends up with him, her life is ruined,” Kyle warned.

“Ella, stop this foolishness,” Mrs. Worth said.

“Mom, there’s a misunderstanding here. He’s not a vain show-off, and he’s not a liar.”

“Is this the Hall family butler?” Kyle yelled into his phone. “Our Lady of Angels Cathedral, someone is impersonating the Hall heir. Extremely grave, please come immediately.”

“The identity of the impersonating my Hall family heir?” a posh British voice echoed over the phone. “Wait right there. I’m coming to expose this fraud.”

“The Hall butler is on his way. You’re finished, you fraud,” Kyle gloated.

“It’s fine. Ella believes me, and the butler believes me, too,” Xavier said, unbothered.

“There’s no escape for you today. Just wait. You’ll be exposed and thrown out,” Mrs. Worth agreed.

The heavy doors of the cathedral opened once again. An immaculately dressed older man in a tailored tuxedo walked down the aisle.

“Mr. Bush, there he is! This drifter impersonating your Hall family heir!” Kyle shouted, pointing at Xavier.

“It’s a half hour drive from the Hall estate. How did you get here so fast?” Mrs. Worth asked suspiciously.

“No need for half an hour. Uncle Bush was already nearby,” Xavier explained calmly.

“What would the Hall butler be doing here?” Kyle demanded. “Must be here on business. Once he exposes you, you’re done.”

“He’s not here on business. He’s here to deliver something,” Xavier smiled.

“For the Hall butler to deliver in person? There’s someone of immense importance in this chapel,” Mrs. Worth realized, looking around the room. “Whoever could make the Hall family bow must be top tier elite.”

“Whoever it is, it’s got nothing to do with this fraud,” Kyle sneered.

“The movements of important people aren’t for you to know,” Xavier replied. “You keep saying Hall butler. Let me ask you, what is the Hall family butler’s surname?”

“Hall, of course,” Kyle stated like a fact.

“Wrong. His name is not Hall,” Xavier corrected.

“Then what is it?”

“Bush,” the older man announced, stepping up to the altar.

“You’re lying!” Kyle screamed, pointing at the butler. “You’re distorting Hall family facts to support your impersonation!”

“It’s the truth. Easily verified,” Xavier said. “The Hall family of New York, three generations of butlers surname Bush.”

“Is that true?” Mrs. Worth asked the older man.

“Yes, madam. I am Bush, butler to the Hall family. Not Hall,” the man bowed respectfully.

Then, Bush turned to Xavier and sank to a deep, formal bow. “Your servant Bush pays respects to the sole heir of the Hall family, Master Xavier.”

“Master? No way,” Kyle gasped, falling to his knees on the marble floor.

“You really are the Hall family heir?” Mrs. Worth whispered, covering her mouth in absolute shock.

“You must be mistaken. How could this drifter possibly be the Hall heir?” Kyle cried out.

“Your grandfather has instructed me to deliver a special gift prepared expressly for you, Master Xavier,” Bush announced, holding out a velvet box.

“For me?”

“Seeing Miss Ella here defending you so fiercely, I understand now. He prepared these gifts so that you could formally propose to her.”

“I never informed my grandpa about this,” Xavier noted, taking the box.

“But you do intend to ask for this young lady’s hand, correct?” Bush smiled warmly.

“Yes,” Xavier smiled back.

“Then it is,” Bush said, turning a cold, terrifying glare toward Kyle and Mrs. Worth. “The master of my Hall family subjected to your basest doubts?”

“He… He really is the Hall heir?” Mrs. Worth stammered.

“He seems so ordinary. How could he be an elite heir?” Kyle wept on the floor.

“Your acknowledgement is irrelevant,” Bush stated icily. “My master is and always will be the master of the Hall family. All of you who doubted him, prepare to face the consequences.”

“Butler Bush, I was blind. I was blind earlier!” Kyle begged, groveling on the floor. “I failed to recognize one of the great Halls. I never imagined Mr. Xavier was the Hall family heir. Please forgive my transgressions!”

“Mrs. Worth, you obstructed him at every turn over lineage, over assets, and even resorted to insults. This we shall remember,” Bush promised.

“The Hall family does not suffer slander in silence,” Xavier added, his voice commanding absolute authority in the quiet church.

“So everything you said was true,” Ella smiled, looking at him with awe. “What made you agree to my request?”

“Five years ago, that car crash when I saved you, I saw you being deceived. I wanted to protect you. But at that time I was forced to complete the family inheritance trials. I never imagined leaving then would make me lose you,” Xavier explained, brushing a strand of hair behind her ear.

“So what if he’s the Hall heir?” Kyle yelled, refusing to give up. “Ella and I have five years of history. We were engaged!”

“Engaged?” Xavier spat. “You stole his deed, won Miss Ella’s trust through lies. A relationship built on deception, and you dare call that an engagement?”

“When Miss Ella was injured, the entire rescue and care was arranged by Mr. Xavier,” Bush testified to the crowd. “Kyle merely exploited the situation afterward. I can testify to this.”

“Enough of the past, the deception, the entanglements. My identity is now public,” Xavier said, turning completely to Ella. “My grandfather prepared these gifts hoping I would formally propose to you. Setting aside all status, all wealth, all debts of gratitude… will you marry me?”

“Yes, I will,” Ella said firmly, wiping a tear from her cheek. “From the moment you saved me five years ago, my heart already belonged to you. These five years, shrouded in lies, wandering in circles, thankfully in the end I still found my way to you.”

“No, impossible! Ella, you can’t choose him!” Kyle screamed, thrashing on the floor. “We had five years together! Even now you refuse to repent?”

“Stolen gratitude, fabricated lies, and you dare call that love?” Ella asked in total disgust.

“Stop this. From the start, you schemed and calculated against Ella. Now the truth is laid bare. It’s time you woke up,” Mrs. Worth said, finally looking at Kyle with the disdain he deserved. “You never really know a person. To think Kyle was this kind of man. Thank goodness Miss Ella made the right choice.”

“Ma’am, for any offense I caused earlier, I hope you can forgive me,” Xavier offered politely.

“I was too fixated on status and wealth, judging people through worldly eyes. I nearly ruined my daughter’s happiness. I promise I won’t interfere,” Mrs. Worth apologized, bowing her head.

“Ella, the token your grandpa prepared, please complete the proposal,” Xavier said, opening the velvet box to reveal a massive, flawless diamond ring. “For the rest of my life, I won’t leave you again. I won’t let anyone deceive you or hurt you. Ella, marry me. Let me protect you for a lifetime.”

“What else do you want from me? It’s already over,” Kyle sobbed into the floor.

“Five years ago you stole credit for saving her life. You lied your way into her trust, drained Ella’s resources, and played with her heart,” Xavier said, standing over Kyle. “And today, at her own wedding, you kept stirring the pot, smearing her, pushing every line you could find. You don’t get to just walk away from that.”

“Mr. Hall,” Manager Mark interrupted, walking up with a thick legal file. “Kyle used his connection with Miss Worth to siphon off quite a few of the Worth family’s contacts. He even used the Hall Group name behind our backs to scam people. We’ve already gathered all the evidence.”

“I didn’t… You’re framing me!” Kyle panicked.

“The evidence will speak for itself,” Xavier stated. “You faked your identity for profit and manipulated someone’s feelings and maliciously slandered others. That’s two serious charges right there. Teach him a lesson he’ll never forget. I want him to regret ever being born.”

“Yes, sir,” Mark nodded, signaling the guards.

“No, Xavier, Ella, please let me off just this once! I know I was wrong. I swear I’ll never do it again!” Kyle screamed as he was dragged out of the cathedral.

“You chose this road yourself. Now you get to live with the consequences,” Xavier called after him.

The heavy doors shut, and Kyle’s screams faded into the busy New York streets.

“I’m sorry for the disturbance today, everyone,” Xavier announced to the stunned crowd. “Ella and I have been through more than enough, but we’ve finally found our way to each other. From here on out, we’ll live quietly and well.”

Just as the crowd began to applaud, Xavier’s phone buzzed aggressively.

“Mr. Hall, urgent news just came in from the family’s overseas holdings. They need you back immediately to handle it,” Bush informed him.

“Damn it,” Xavier cursed under his breath.

“What’s wrong? Is it serious?” Ella asked, grabbing his arm.

“Something came up at the overseas branch. I have to leave right away and handle it. I won’t be gone long.”

“You just got engaged and now you have to rush off?” Mrs. Worth asked with a frown.

“Family business can’t wait, Mrs. Worth. Please look after Ella for me while I’m away,” Xavier said quickly, kissing Ella’s forehead before sprinting out the side door.

As soon as he left, a stunningly beautiful woman in a sharp red business suit walked down the aisle, her heels clicking loudly.

“That’s Emma from Tina’s Group,” a guest whispered in fear. “I heard she’s always had her heart set on the Hall heir.”

“Xavier, no wonder you kept dodging the family marriage arrangement,” Emma announced, her voice dripping with venom. “So this is where you’ve been hiding your little sweetheart.”

“Emma, you shouldn’t be here,” Mark warned.

“I was expecting someone extraordinary,” Emma sneered, stopping in front of Ella and looking her up and down. “Turns out you’re just another rich girl. You really think a wedding and a ring are enough to make you Mrs. Hall?”

“Xavier and I choose each other. No one else gets a vote,” Ella replied firmly, standing her ground.

“Choose each other?” Emma laughed, a harsh, mocking sound. “Xavier was born to run an empire. The woman beside him has to be useful to him in business. Xavier and I, our family settled our marriage long ago. Everyone in the business world knows it. And now you’re marrying someone else in public like our family’s partnership means nothing? Are you trying to start a war between two corporations?”

“Miss Emma, Mr. Hall’s marriage is his own choice. Please stop making a scene,” Bush warned politely.

“I don’t care about your pretty excuses,” Emma shot back, keeping her eyes locked on Ella. “Miss Worth, do you have the guts to compete with me? If you lose, you walk away from Xavier.”

“I’m not walking away from him, but I’ll take your challenge. I’ll prove I belong by his side.”

“I won’t let you put her through this,” Mrs. Worth argued, stepping forward.

“What? The future Mrs. Hall can’t handle one little challenge? If she’s that scared, she should let go now. That would be the smart move,” Emma taunted.

“You don’t have to shield me,” Ella said to her mother. “I’ll take this challenge. I accept it. Now tell me exactly how you want to do this.”

“If we’re fighting for the title of Mrs. Hall, then we compete on real ability, not looks, not figure. We compete on what matters in business, project negotiation and resource management.”

“To compete in business? That’s no small thing,” a businessman murmured in the back.

“Emma from Tina’s Group is a shark in the business world. Mrs. Worth may be in trouble,” his partner agreed.

“Ella, don’t be reckless. Emma’s been in business for years. She has far more experience than you. This isn’t in your favor,” Mrs. Worth pleaded.

“Mom, if I said yes, it means I have a plan. I won’t let anyone look down on me or on Xavier’s choice.”

“At least you’ve got us, fine,” her mother relented.

“Then let’s make the stakes clear,” Emma smiled wickedly. “Three days from now we compete publicly at the top business club. Whoever locks down the overseas deal first wins. If you lose, you break off your engagement with Xavier immediately. If I lose, I’ll never chase Xavier again.”

“I accept. It’s a deal,” Ella confirmed.

“Good. Just don’t come crying when you lose badly.”

“We’ll see who wins. No need for insults here. Three days from now the result will speak for itself,” Ella replied calmly.

“I hope you’re still this confident then. From what I hear, all you do is live soft and spend money. You don’t know the first thing about business. What exactly are you going to compete with?”

Before Ella could answer, the side door opened and Xavier stormed back in.

“The bride is beautiful, isn’t she?” Xavier asked loudly, cutting the tension. “The competition is fine, but you don’t get to humiliate her. Ella is the woman I chose. You don’t get to judge her, talk over her, or tear her down.”

“Xavier, I’m just telling the truth,” Emma defended herself.

“Enough. Leave. Now. Stop disrupting this occasion,” Xavier commanded, his voice leaving no room for argument.

“Three days from now I’ll be waiting for you to admit defeat,” Emma glared at Ella before turning and marching out of the church.

“Ella, that was far too impulsive,” Mrs. Worth sighed heavily. “Emma has spent years building overseas channels. You took that bet on the spot. What happens if you lose?”

“Relax. I know what I’m doing. I’m not the spoiled little princess everyone thinks I am.”

“I know what you’re capable of and I trust you. But Emma is ruthless and competitive. Over the next three days, be careful.”

“I will.”

Later that evening, in the Worth family office.

“Mr. Hall, Mrs. Worth, I’ve had people look into it,” Mark reported. “The deal they’ll be competing for is a high-end supply chain partnership in Southeast Asia. Emma used Tina’s Group’s network ahead of time, so she already has a head start.”

“What? I heard Emma already contacted the senior partners on that project. Doesn’t that give her a serious advantage?” Mrs. Worth worried.

“So, that’s what this is. Emma had already started setting it up. No wonder she sounded so sure of herself. She planned this from the beginning,” Ella realized.

“A head start doesn’t matter. Do what you need to do. Follow your own rhythm,” Xavier advised.

“Emma’s been spreading rumors that you don’t have business experience. A lot of potential partners are getting nervous. The situation doesn’t look good,” Mark warned.

“Smart people don’t live by rumors. Ability is the best proof,” Ella said firmly. “Mark, bring me our Southeast Asia sourcing data.”

“Ms. Worth, this is the Worth family’s strongest advantage from years of work on the ground in Southeast Asia,” Mark said, handing her a thick file.

“Ma’am, bad news,” an assistant rushed into the room. “We just got word that Emma secretly contacted several of our long-term suppliers. She offered them huge prices to poach them and cut off our sourcing base.”

“She’s really trying to pull the rug out from under us?” Mrs. Worth gasped.

“I figured as much. Send the word out. Slow down the existing supplier hand-offs for now and activate our backup overseas warehousing channel,” Ella commanded smoothly.

“I just heard about the suppliers being poached. Are you okay?” Xavier asked, watching her work.

“I’m fine. It’s just a little bump, not enough to stop me,” Ella smiled confidently.

“Ms. Worth, this encrypted file contains the working styles and private priorities of several key people on the partner side. This is your opening. Go for it,” Mark said, handing over a USB drive.

“Thank you. I won’t let any of you down.”

Across town, in the Tina’s Group boardroom.

“Ma’am, we failed to poach the Worth family’s core suppliers. They activated backup channels ahead of time. The plan fell through,” an executive reported nervously to Emma.

“She’s got some nerve. Looks like I underestimated her,” Emma seethed, tapping her pen on the mahogany table. “Should we send someone to create a few unexpected obstacles?”

“Three days from now, at the business club, I’m going to make sure she loses in front of everyone in the industry,” Emma promised.

“But Ella has stable supply now, plus the Hall family is secretly feeding her contacts and intel. We may not have the upper hand.”

“Upper hand? I’ve already covered every angle. For this competition, I’ve spoken to several judges in advance and I’ve changed the presentation rules,” Emma smiled wickedly.

“Brilliant, ma’am. What exactly do you want us to do next?”

“Go swap out the latest project guidelines and have someone tamper with the venue equipment. Once her presentation goes wrong…”

“Understood. I’ll arrange it immediately.”

“Ella, you dare to steal Xavier from me, to steal my place as Mrs. Hall. This is the price you pay,” Emma whispered to the empty room.

Back at the Worth estate.

“Ma’am, we just received a tip. Emma seems to be moving people around in secret. She’s planning to tamper with the competition venue,” Mark informed Ella.

“She’s even willing to mess with the equipment and the process? That’s vile. I knew she wouldn’t play fair,” Ella frowned. “Mark, take people to the business club in advance. Check every piece of equipment and prepare two backup presentation plans in case anything happens.”

“Yes, I’ll handle it right away.”

“Ella, with all these tricks coming from the other side, are you really confident?” Mrs. Worth asked.

“She has her cheap tricks. I have my answers. I’m not just going to win this competition. I’m going to win it clean.”

“I know you can handle yourself. I just can’t stop worrying when she’s playing dirty. If you need them, every guard and staff member in the Worth family is yours to command.”

“Thanks, Mom. Knowing my family has my back makes me feel a lot steadier.”

“You’ve been working for hours. Take a break,” Xavier said, walking into the study with a cup of coffee.

“What are you doing here?” Ella asked, taking a sip.

“I was worried, so I came to check on you. We found out that Emma privately won over half the judges. She’s trying to sway the final result.”

“She’s even buying the judges? There’s nothing she won’t do to win,” Ella sighed. “I can’t force the judges to be fair, but the strength of the project and my performance are in my hands. Even if they want to favor her, they can’t blind everyone in the room.”

“I’ve arranged for trusted people to attend and record the entire competition. If they openly show favoritism, I’m on standby. But, I still respect what you want. You lead, I’ll follow,” Xavier promised.

“I understand. I want to win this project on my own ability, and I want everyone to see the truth.”

“Whatever happens, in my heart, you’ll always be the right one.”

The day of the competition arrived. The business club was packed with industry executives.

“Ladies and gentlemen, today’s competition for the Southeast Asia high-end supply chain partnership officially begins. First, please welcome Emma from Tina’s Group to present her proposal,” the moderator announced.

Emma walked up to the podium confidently and delivered a slick, highly polished presentation.

“The strengths of my proposal are obvious. I’m sure you’ve all made your judgment. Now, let’s invite Ella Worth to the stage,” Emma smiled smugly.

Ella walked up to the podium and plugged her drive into the computer. Suddenly, the massive projector screen went completely black.

“Why did the equipment suddenly die?” a judge asked.

“Funny how it breaks the second it’s her turn. That’s a little too convenient,” an executive whispered.

“What a shame. Looks like even the equipment won’t cooperate with you, Ella. Why don’t you just concede?” Emma taunted from the front row.

“This is outrageous,” Mrs. Worth fumed.

“It’s just an equipment failure. Nothing to be afraid of,” Ella said calmly into the microphone. “I came prepared. Start the backup projection.”

A secondary screen lowered from the ceiling, instantly displaying Ella’s intricate supply chain maps and cost-analysis breakdowns. She delivered the presentation flawlessly, highlighting the exact pressure points the partners cared about most.

“I didn’t expect Ms. Worth to know the industry details this well. Her proposal is much more practical,” the lead judge whispered to his colleagues.

“After considering proposal feasibility, cost control, long-term development, and several other criteria, the judging panel has reached a decision,” the lead judge announced into his microphone. “Ella Worth wins this round.”

The room erupted into applause.

“Impossible! Did someone pay you off? I don’t accept this!” Emma screamed, standing up and slamming her hands on the table.

“Emma, our decision is fair,” the judge replied sternly. “Your proposal looks impressive on the surface, but it has several fatal weaknesses. Ella’s proposal is the one that truly meets the partnership’s needs.”

“You tampered with the equipment and tried to influence the judges,” Ella said, looking directly at Emma. “If you have to win with dirty tricks, you already lost. Don’t forget the bet you made.”

“Fine. I’ll honor the bet, but this is not over,” Emma seethed, her face red with embarrassment.

“Ma’am, too many people are watching. We should leave,” her assistant whispered frantically.

“Fine. A bet is a bet. From this day on, I won’t chase Xavier anymore,” Emma announced bitterly to the room.

“Then keep your word. And don’t play dirty behind our backs again,” Ella warned.

“Xavier, I’ve loved you for years. I lost today, so I have nothing to say. I just hope you don’t regret the choice you made,” Emma said, turning to him one last time.

“Love doesn’t come from force or calculation. Everything that happened today is on you,” Xavier replied coldly.

“Business is decided by ability. You have talent. Instead of obsessing over people and things that don’t belong to you, focus on building your own company,” Ella advised.

“Ella, we’re very pleased with your proposal. For the Southeast Asia supply chain project, we’re officially partnering with the Worth family,” the lead judge smiled.

“Thank you for your trust. We’ll give this partnership everything we have.”

“I knew you could do it,” Xavier smiled, taking her hand.

“That’s because you and my family were behind me. Finally, things can settle down.”

“Mr. Hall, Ms. Worth, the emergency overseas matter has been resolved. You can focus on the next arrangements now,” Bush reported.

“The storm has passed. Now we focus on our wedding,” Xavier said.

“After the storm, the rainbow finally breaks through,” Mrs. Worth agreed happily.

But across the city, Emma was pacing her office like a caged animal.

“The wedding, huh? I won’t let it go smoothly. I failed. I failed!” Emma screamed, throwing a crystal glass at the wall.

“Relax. They won’t succeed. That woman will be dead before the wedding,” a dark figure standing in the corner promised.

The next day, outside a high-end bridal boutique.

“Ella, please take a look at this letter of intent. We look forward to working closely with you,” a partner said, handing her a folder on the sidewalk.

“Thank you for your confidence. We won’t let you down. The project is settled, and the rival has left the stage. Now we can finally prepare for the wedding in peace,” Ella smiled.

“I’ll go arrange the venue and guest list right away,” Mrs. Worth offered.

“Thank you for taking care of it, Mom.”

“Ella, are you tired? I’ll take you to rest,” Xavier said.

“Not tired. Honestly, I feel lighter than I have in days.”

“Mr. Hall, I noticed Emma and her people haven’t fully left. They’ve been lingering outside. I’m afraid they may still be up to something,” Mark warned, looking around the busy street.

“Have people keep eyes on her movements. Increase security around the Worth residence and every route we take. No one touches Ella,” Xavier ordered.

“Understood. I’ll deploy them immediately.”

“There are too many people here. Let’s get in the car,” Mrs. Worth suggested.

Suddenly, a masked man lunged from the crowd, a glint of metal in his hand.

“Look out!” Xavier yelled, shoving Ella behind him and blocking the attacker’s knife.

“Stop!” Mark screamed, tackling the man to the pavement.

“That was terrifying,” Ella breathed, clutching her chest. “In broad daylight, he actually tried to attack someone in public. He was clearly coming for me.”

“Who sent you?” Xavier demanded, crouching down and grabbing the man by the collar.

“Useless idiots,” Emma muttered from a parked car across the street. “They couldn’t even handle one woman. Drive. Get out of here now. If we stay, this will burn us, too. Looks like I’ll have to rely on Tina’s.”

“Mr. Hall, this was my failure. We didn’t stop him in time,” Mark apologized profusely.

“It’s not your fault. They moved too suddenly. Take him away and question him hard. I want the person behind this found,” Xavier ordered.

“Yes, sir.”

“Don’t be scared. It’s over. I’m here. I won’t let anyone hurt you again,” Xavier promised, pulling Ella into a tight hug.

“I’m okay. I just didn’t think they’d go this far. Emma was hanging around nearby earlier. This almost certainly has something to do with her. She lost the competition and now she’s desperate enough to commit a crime.”

“I know. She’s provoked us again and again, cheated in secret, and now she’s openly hired someone to attack Ella. She crossed the line. Mark, how should we handle this?”

“First, tighten security across the board. I want people protecting Ella 24/7. Second, go after Tina’s group,” Mark advised.

“Thank you for all this,” Ella said softly.

“Protecting you is exactly what I’m supposed to do. Come on. Let’s go home.”

“Once I give the order to move against Tina’s group, I won’t hold back,” Xavier said, his voice dropping into a deadly serious tone. “They came after the woman I love. They’ll pay for it. Mark, I’ll assemble the team now. Cut off all of Tina’s group’s partnerships and gather evidence of their business violations and malicious competition.”

“Move fast, but keep it clean. Don’t give them anything to use against us and keep pressure on the interrogation. Make him talk. I want direct proof that Emma and Tina’s hired him.”

“Understood. I’ll execute immediately.”

“Going after the entire Tina’s group, isn’t that a little too big?” Ella asked worriedly.

“Backing down only makes people bolder. Business has its rules. When someone crosses the line, they get held accountable,” Xavier stated firmly.

Inside the Tina’s Group executive office.

“Ma’am, we have a major problem. Several long-term partners suddenly terminated their contracts and our cash flow is starting to shake. And the major business alliances have issued statements suspending all dealings with us. All our projects are dead in the water,” an executive panicked.

“How did this happen so suddenly? Who did this?” Emma screamed.

“Who else could it be? Besides Xavier Hall, no one has that kind of power. We failed to have Ella killed and now he’s furious.”

“Xavier actually used his family’s power to come after our whole company?” Emma gasped, sinking into her chair.

“At this point, backing down won’t save us. Xavier is cutting off our lifeline, so we go all in. The wedding day will be crowded and security is most likely to have gaps. That’s our last chance,” the executive advised darkly.

“But the last operation already failed and our man was taken. Are we really sending more people?” Emma asked.

“I already left us a backup plan. As long as we create chaos at the wedding and disrupt the ceremony, even if we don’t hurt Ella, we can still humiliate her and Xavier in front of everyone.”

“Fine. I’ll follow your lead. I won’t just sit there and watch them have a perfect wedding.”

Back at the Worth estate, Xavier’s phone rang.

“The Hall butler just called,” Xavier told Ella. “There may be an attack at the wedding.”

“At the wedding?” Ella asked, her eyes widening.

“They still won’t give up. The wedding will be packed with guests. If anything goes wrong, the consequences will be unthinkable.”

“I’ll have a large number of security personnel blend in with the guests and staff,” Mark planned aloud, “with layers of protection inside and outside the church. But we still have to be careful.”

“Don’t worry. I’m here,” Xavier promised. “Just focus on getting ready for the wedding.”

“I trust you. I just feel guilty dragging everyone else into danger with me.”

“Sweetheart, we’re family. Don’t talk like that. They’re the ones choosing evil. All we can do is prepare.”

“When we get back, I’ll have the Worth family people coordinate with the Halls on security,” Mrs. Worth promised.

“Thank you, Mrs. Worth. With both families working together, our odds are much better.”

“Mr. Hall, Mrs. Worth, these are the security plans for the wedding venue, Our Lady of Angels Cathedral,” Mark handed over a blueprint.

“Good. Also, keep close watch on Tina’s and Emma. If either of them bring people anywhere near the church, stop them immediately.”

“They really went to all this trouble. They won’t stop until someone is ruined,” Ella sighed.

“The more desperate they get, the more mistakes they’ll make. We prepare, then we wait,” Xavier said confidently.

“Everyone, remember your assignment,” Emma briefed her hired thugs in a dark alleyway. “When the ceremony reaches the ring exchange, you act according to the plan. You don’t have to hurt anyone on purpose. Just throw the whole place into chaos and turn this wedding into the city’s biggest joke.”

“Miss Tina’s, the Hall family security is extremely tight. If we expose it, it’d be hard for us to get out,” a thug worried.

“After it’s done, you’ll be paid generously and I’ll arrange for you to leave the country until things cool down. But if anyone loses nerve or leaks a word, you won’t be able to handle the consequences. Emma, tomorrow you’ll hide among the ordinary guests and command from there. Stay hidden. Don’t show your face. As long as the ceremony’s interrupted, we win.”

“I know,” Emma smiled cruelly. “I’ve waited too long for this day. Let’s see if Ella can still enjoy being Mrs. Hall.”

The night before the wedding.

“After everything you’ve been through, tomorrow you’re finally getting married. I’m happy, but I still can’t help worrying,” Mrs. Worth said, hugging Ella in her bedroom.

“Mom, don’t worry. We’ve prepared for every risk. Nothing will happen. Being able to be with Xavier, that’s more than enough for me.”

“Emma and Tina’s may be twisted, but they can’t shake us. Tomorrow, let go of every worry and just be the happiest bride in the world.”

“Ella, can I come in?” Xavier knocked softly on the door.

“Come in.”

“I just wanted to see you. The wedding’s tomorrow. Nervous?”

“Not even a little. Not with you here,” Ella smiled, taking his hands.

“It’s the last night. Get some rest. Whatever happens tomorrow, I’ll be holding your hand through the whole ceremony.”

In the hallway, Mark’s radio buzzed.

“Report, Mr. Hall,” Mark said, leaning into the doorway. “The targets have entered the venue as planned. Everything is normal. We’ll wait until tomorrow to take them down.”