Chapter 7

At the Sterling family's wedding, the venue was breathtaking, with all the opulent decorations and dazzling lights blending together to create a dreamlike spectacle. Adrian stood at the altar, with the officiant speaking beside him. However, his thoughts had long since drifted away, and his mind was only on Isabella. He couldn't help wondering what she was doing. Was she boredly scrolling through her phone? Was she staring out the window, thinking of him? He took a deep breath, trying to steady the restless pounding of his heart. Just then, the wedding hall's grand doors slowly opened. Accompanied by elegant music, Samantha, clad in a pristine white wedding dress, began her walk down the aisle toward him. Adrian's gaze was instantly captivated. For a fleeting, dizzying moment, he seemed to see Isabella walking toward him with determined steps. The vision was so vivid that he momentarily lost himself in it. It wasn't until Samantha stood before him and the officiant's voice sounded in his ear that he snapped back to reality. He inwardly berated himself, "Have I lost my mind?" The ceremony proceeded without a hitch, soon reaching the exchange of vows. The atmosphere in the venue was tense with anticipation. "Samantha Monroe, do you take Adrian Sterling to be your lawfully wedded husband, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?" the officiant asked. She smiled softly and replied, "I do." Hearing that, the officiant turned to Adrian. "Adrian Sterling, do you take Samantha Monroe to be your lawfully wedded wife, to have and to hold, from this day forward, for better, for worse, for richer, for poorer, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, till death do you part?" Adrian faltered for a moment, his gaze drifting away briefly. An image of Isabella flashed uncontrollably through his mind, yet he knew clearly that Samantha, with her noble background, was the ideal marital choice. His lips parted, the answer poised on his tongue, when the wedding hall doors were violently flung open. "Adrian, are you certain you want to marry her?" The crisp, commanding voice cut through the ceremony like thunder. Adrian instinctively turned toward the voice and saw Isabella standing at the entrance. She was clad in a striking red dress, flanked by her bodyguards. The moment his eyes met hers, his heart first seemed to stop, then began to race uncontrollably. Before he could gather his thoughts, his parents had already hurried over to intercept Isabella. His mother, Carol Flynn, spoke first, her eyes filled with disdain. "Ms. Hart, I presume? I know you dated Adrian before, but you broke up long ago, right? Our family isn't a place for just anyone to cling to. And here you are, making a scene. How disgraceful!" His father, Gareth Sterling, snorted coldly beside his wife, his gaze full of contempt. "You're truly a low-class person with no sense of decorum. Today is my son's wedding to the Monroe family's daughter. Causing a scene like this is outrageous." Carol looked Isabella up and down, her expression dripping with disgust. "Exactly. Know your place. Samantha is the Monroe family's daughter—there's no comparison between you. I advise you to be sensible, leave immediately, and spare yourself further humiliation." Hearing their harsh words, a mocking smile curled Isabella's lips. "Oh? The Monroe family's daughter? Since her status is so esteemed, why is there not a single member of the Monroe family present at this wedding? Is it that the Monroes don't value this union at all, or does this 'daughter' have some secret that makes them too ashamed to attend?" Her words sent a wave of murmurs through the crowd, and guests began whispering to one another. Carol's and Garteh's expressions turned stormy, and their eyes shot toward Samantha. A flicker of panic crossed Samantha's eyes, but she forced herself to appear composed, raising her voice. "My dad and brother adore me. How could they not value my wedding? They aren't here yet because they're finalizing a major business deal. They'll come as soon as it's concluded." Isabella let out a derisive laugh. "Oh, really? Isn't the Monroe family's daughter supposed to be the apple of their eye? Shouldn't their little princess' wedding take precedence over any business deal?" Samantha was momentarily speechless, stammering and unable to form a coherent reply. Isabella took several steps forward in her high heels, closing in on the group. "Perhaps… You aren't the Monroe family daughter at all. Instead, you're just an impostor." Gasps and whispers rippled through the guests. Under the weight of their scrutinizing stares, Samantha lifted her chin and defended herself. "You're lying! You can't just accuse me of being an impostor because you want to marry Adrian. I spoke with my dad and brother before the ceremony. They promised they'd be here before it ended." Seeing her so confident, Adrian's parents turned their scorn back to Isabella. "You lunatic, you aren't even fit to carry Samantha's shoes, yet you dare to cause trouble here. Security! Get this crazy woman out of here before she ruins everything." Isabella sneered. "I am the Monroe family's real daughter. Are you sure you want to throw me out?" Hearing that, the security guards exchanged uncertain glances. Seeing Carol hesitate, Samantha grew furious. "You're the one trying to impersonate the Monroe family's daughter. Guards, what are you waiting for? Get this lunatic out of here now." Carol snapped back to attention and ordered the guards forward. Isabella's bodyguards immediately stepped in, shielding her. "How dare you! No one lays a hand on Ms. Hart." As the two groups began to scuffle, a powerful voice boomed from the entrance. "The Monroe family has arrived!" The previously buzzing hall fell into instant silence, and all eyes turned toward the doorway. A fleet of luxury cars had pulled up, coming to a smooth stop at the entrance.