The wedding hall.
After three hours of desperately searching around the city for Evie, all mobilized vehicles returned to the wedding venue.
Madam Mel, Jessica, and Lucas decided to let her go, thinking she might have run away from the city. They didn't bother to find her back, even though they could; after all, they had a wedding to continue, and it was to her loss that she ran away, poor and homeless.
The wedding soon continued as nothing happened. Everything and everyone were in place.
Elder Ye had at least fully recovered from the shock of two hours ago. He seemed to agree with his grandson's choice of bride, making no negative statements about it, especially since he would gain a great fortune, which was still assured.
As for Henry, he just sat watching all these events occur and couldn't do anything about it.
However, the wedding was lively, and every guest present seemed to have adjusted their animosity towards Jessica for some unknown reason. Maybe their hard feelings might have been suppressed by the wedding's three-hour delay, caused by waiting for the family who were desperately searching for Evie, or it could be that they just silently agreed to forget their issues with the wedding for the day and move on with whatever was going to happen.
"By the power vested in me by the Jade City government and our heavenly Creator, I now pronounce you both husband and wife. You may now seal your marriage with a kiss."
Lucas smiled. He leaned in to kiss Jessica, but before their lips could meet, the door to the hall swung open.
Everyone, including the couple, turned to the entrance to see what was happening.
Moreover…
About fifty men in crisp black suits, blue ties, and dark sunglasses strode in. They immediately split into two groups, standing upright with hands at their sides, facing each other in two lines that stretched from the hall entrance to the very end. Following them shortly, another man in a white suit walked in, unrolling a red carpet from the entrance down to the altar.
Just then, Evie walked in with Westley, who was wearing a snappy navy blue suit, red bow tie, and dark sunglasses. Eden and six escorts followed them closely.
Everyone's mouth dropped. Their stunned facial expressions made it clear they were bewildered.
Even with sunglasses hiding the face of the new young man, Evie brought in, everyone could tell he was handsome and certainly from a rich, prestigious background.
Lucas, Jessica, and Madam Mel's eyes widened in shock.
Madam Mel instantly shook her head, a deep frown creasing her brow as she hissed. "That slut thinks she can fool us by bringing in a punk to act wealthy. I bet she took a loan to arrange all this for a show-off."
Jessica instantly chimed in. "Just look at how she shamelessly smiled. I'm sure she's crying on the inside while walking down here with that worthless, poor guy who isn't worth a penny."
Lucas said nothing. He was just staring at the man Evie had just brought in.
That brat is indeed shameless to have brought a poseur here for a show. He cursed, staring at Evie, who was feeling high in the world.
"What a simp!" His jaw tightened, heatedly.
With her gaze fixed on Evie, Mother Mel snorted, taking in the exquisite, stunning, blue wedding dress and jewelry. She scoffed. "She's probably too cheap to even afford what she's wearing! Definitely, she borrowed them or got them from some rental store."
She smirked, then let out a low chuckle. "Just wait till tomorrow, she'll be crawling back to us for cash."
Lucas and Jessica laughed.
Evie, on the other hand, stood in front of them with Westley, holding hands firmly.
The six escorts from behind pushed Lucas, Jessica, and Madam Mel aside, giving them a cold glare. Just as Madam Mel was about to retaliate, one of the escorts gave her a stern look, which caused her to freeze in her spot. Jessica immediately got pissed and then rushed to slap him.
Before the slap could land, the escorts swiftly caught her hand and twisted it ruthlessly. "It's not your wedding, bitch! So stay out of the line." He then pushed her, releasing her hand, and watched her fall to the ground like a ragged doll.
Mother Mel and Lucas quickly rushed to help her up.
Frustrated, Jessica growled, "Lucas, do something. Tell that shameless bitch to leave our wedding right now. She's embarrassing us."
Lucas turned towards Evie, whose back was facing him.
He roared, "What the fuck are you doing here, Evie. You ran away, shattered two hours ago, and now return here, creating a scene. If you know what is best for you, better leave with that poor punk you just brought in."
Evie, who had fully anticipated this, simply ignored him, smirking as his frustration grew.
"Old priest, please start the marriage oath from the beginning. My new husband and I are ready to seal our marriage," Evie said to the trembling priest standing before her.
He nodded in fear and immediately grabbed the ancient, leather-bound scripture from the altar, his hand fumbling with the pages.
"Oh my God, you are going to regret this. I swear you will." Lucas raged, walking towards her.
Evie didn't look back, but this time she could hear Lucas' pounding and screams, a clear sign that the hired escorts were doing their job exactly as Westley had ruthlessly planned.
Everyone was silent, clearly because he truly deserves it. Lucas' grandfather wanted to confront the situation, but felt an urge not to, after all, his grandson had been so rude to publicly humiliate him earlier, just as Madam Mel had also humiliated her husband.
The priest's voice, though shaky, began to recite the ancient vows, the words filling the suddenly quiet hall.
"You bitch! You dare let your useless men touch my son-in-law…." Before Madam Mel could complete her words, Westley turned slowly to face her.
He then pointed at two escorts. "You both should throw her out. She is interrupting the ceremony. And make sure she doesn't return."