Chapter 15

Alder's "I don't" struck the wedding venue like lightning. Right after he spoke, he collapsed backward and fell heavily onto the red carpet. "Alder!" Elara screamed and lunged toward him, but she only managed to grab his falling tie. The venue instantly fell into chaos. "What just happened? Did Mr. Holt say he didn't want to marry her?" "Did I hear that right? Is the wedding still happening or not? I knew you can't lie to Mr. Holt…" "The Vances' dignity is in tatters now. Just wait till the day Mr. Holt remembers everything…" Whispers surged through the crowd as Elara stood on the stage and dug her nails deep into her palms. Forcing a smile, she barely held it together and took the microphone. Her voice trembled slightly as she began. "Dear guests, Alder has been overworking himself lately for the wedding, and his health has been suffering. The doctors advised him to rest, but he didn't want to postpone our big day and insisted we move forward with it." Pausing, she swept her