Chapter 9

After that day, Caesar and Josephine didn't make any more dramatic spectacles. However, their petty, spiteful rivalry never ceased. When Josephine shared a video of her and Sebastian being affectionate, Caesar brought Nadia to a jeweler's and spent a fortune on their wedding bands. When Josephine and Sebastian were captured sharing a kiss, Caesar brought Nadia to pick out their wedding venue. They even had a romantic candlelit dinner afterward. Caesar and Nadia's wedding had been born out of spite, but it gradually became a grand affair fueled by his desire to upset Josephine. He invested over a million dollars in it. On the wedding day, he even started a global livestream, saying that he wanted the whole world to witness his and Nadia's union. The most luxurious hotel in Jeriton City was ultimately selected as the venue for their wedding, and the guests were the most elite among the upper crust. Nadia put on her wedding gown and looked at herself in the mirror. Her makeup was done exquisitely, but she merely felt dazed. It had been a decade since she'd come to this world, and she'd pursued Caesar the whole time. Now, it was finally time for a wedding that she'd gotten after giving up all her pride and dignity. Soon, this would all be over. A server knocked on the door and told her it was time for her to enter the banquet hall. She nodded and lifted her gown as she walked. The gown's train trailed after her, making her look particularly petite. She followed the officiant's cues and walked down the aisle to reach Caesar, who stood before the stage. Everything was proceeding smoothly, but Nadia couldn't help feeling vaguely uneasy when she saw how absent-minded Caesar was. She was still scared that Josephine would seek him out or that he would abandon her to go to Josephine because he couldn't bear seeing her marry someone else. More importantly, she was afraid the wedding wouldn't be a success. "Now, let's have the bride and groom exchange their wedding bands!" Nadia sighed in relief when she heard the officiant proceeding with the wedding. Caesar silently took the ring from the pageboy. The huge diamond brushed past her fingers as he held up her hand to put the ring on. Just then, they were interrupted by a jarring ringtone. Nadia's heart sank. She instinctively looked at Caesar to take in his expression. He seemed unfazed, almost as if he couldn't hear the ringing phone. His actions faltered, though. In that instant, she felt like she could hear her racing heart. Fortunately, he didn't answer the call. He let it ring until it automatically disconnected. However, a second and third call followed. Nadia clearly saw the unfazed expression on Caesar's face shift to hesitance. Ultimately, he couldn't take it anymore and answered the call. Josephine's weeping rang out on the other end of the line. Nadia saw Caesar's expression turn into panic. He'd yet to slip the ring onto Nadia's finger, and he now pulled it away as he turned to leave. However, she stopped him. He turned back to meet her reddened eyes. She said, "I know you want to go to Josephine. I won't stop you, but please just put the ring on for me…" He pursed his lips and pried her hands off him. His answer made her blood run cold. "I can't. Josie needs to see me urgently." "No, don't go! Please put the ring on!" The system had made it clear that the wedding would be considered a success once they exchanged rings. Caesar refused, though. He turned to hurry off, but Nadia clung to him stubbornly. He was so panicked that he shoved her aside roughly. She crashed against the side of a table from the force, and blood trickled down her forehead. Still, she ignored the pain and scrambled to her feet. She ran after him. Then, she fell to her knees before him as everyone watched. She was so panicked that tears streamed down her face. She'd long since given up her dignity, and she could only think of one thing—to end the wedding on a proper note. "Please, Caesar… I'm begging you…" She wept and pleaded with him. The guests were abuzz. "As expected of Jeriton City's number one doormat! Look at her, falling to her knees to beg her groom to put the ring on for her!" "I can only say I'm amazed by how far she pushes herself." "I'd only ever heard rumors of her being a doormat. Now that I'm seeing it for myself, I have to say that the rumors were not an exaggeration." Caesar was stunned. A trace of pity flashed in his eyes, and he ultimately couldn't bring himself to just leave like that. He grabbed the ring from his pocket and hurriedly slipped it onto Nadia's finger. Then, he turned and left after saying, "We'll continue with the wedding when I get back." She knew it wouldn't continue, though. She stared at the diamond ring on her finger in relief as the system's voice rang out in her mind. "The wedding is complete, and your mission progress has reached 100%. Your reward has been granted—Theodore Camden has been revived. You can leave this world once your physical body dies." Nadia smiled earnestly, which was something she hadn't done in a long time. She ignored all the shocked gazes on her as she bolted out of the banquet hall. Then, she took the elevator up to the hotel's roof. As she ran toward the edge of the roof, the hem of her gown and her veil billowed in the wind. She didn't show the slightest hint of hesitation as she spread her arms and jumped off the building. She landed with a crash on top of a car amid terrified screams. Her gaze met Caesar's through the shattered glass.