With everyone watching, Cedric made his entrance in a perfectly tailored black suit.

He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and nodded slightly to acknowledge the crowd. His cold, intense gaze swept across the room, exuding an air of oppression. 

In an instant, the hall fell silent. Every guest froze in disbelief. No one had expected Cedric to be the groom in the strategic marriage between the Norwoods and the Millers.

Those watching the live stream were eager for drama. Yet, they, too, were struck silent.

Preston gritted his teeth in fury, veins bulging on his forehead. His voice was laced with rage as he roared, "Uncle Cedric? This can't be real! There must be some mistake!"

Everyone in the room snapped back to reality upon hearing that. 

"Y-You're right! It must be a mix-up on the host's end. How could Mr. Norwood marry Jolene? The age difference is too big!" someone stammered.

An

In front of the Norwoods and the Millers, Jolene calmly responded, "From now on, we're a family."

Her words hit Preston like a punch in the gut. He clenched his fists, and his gaze burned into her.

Jolene could sense his reluctance and rage, yet she paid him no mind. Instead, she hooked her arm around Cedric's and asked about their upcoming schedule with a smile. 

Cedric checked the time. When their eyes met again, a flicker of warmth softened his cold, stern gaze.

"I didn't get a chance to greet the guests earlier because my flight got delayed. Normally, we'd head back to the family home for a small get-together," he answered. "But you've been on your feet all day. Let's skip that for now and head back to rest. What do you think?"

His suggestion drew teasing remarks from the Norwood elders.

"Would you look at that? Marriage really does change a man, huh? He's putting his wife firs

One day before the wedding, Jolene received a text that read, "I'm back. See you tomorrow."

The sender didn't tell her who he was nor did he leave any other remarks, but she knew it was him—Cedric.

A sense of calm soothed the uneasiness she felt, and she had a good sleep.

At 10:00 am the next day, the procession from the Norwood family arrived at the Miller's residence with a camera.

The marriage that would bond two noble families would be broadcast live to the public and available for the entire city to watch.

Preston got out of the car and headed upstairs. He was momentarily stunned when he saw Jolene in the white wedding gown.

For some reason, he felt a sense of deja vu and fell into a trance temporarily. He only offered her his hand after someone beside him reminded him to.

However, Jolene didn't take his hand. She looked at him calmly. "Preston, you're at the wrong place. You should be waiting at the guest area."

Her words pissed him off, and his expression turned gloomy. "Again? Don't you know that the wedding is on live broadcast? Must you keep acting up and embarrass both of our families?"

Jolene didn't argue. Lifting the skirt of her gown, she went downstairs herself.

Preston clenched his outstretched palm. Taking a deep breath, he kept his temper in check and followed her.

Just as he was about to get into the backseat of the wedding car, his phone rang. A while later, he closed the door.

Looking at Jolene from the outside, he said, "I have important matters to attend to and can't go with you. Tell our families that the wedding is called off."

He thought Jolene would feel upset and embarrassed. He also thought she would cry.

However, all she did was return his gaze calmly. "I told you, whether or not you show up at the wedding doesn't matter at all."

He wasn't the groom after all.

Her nonchalant expression sent a flicker of panic through Preston. Still, he said gravely, "I said we're calling off the wedding! I'm the groom, and I'll not be there. Do you really want to end up as the laughingstock of the entire city?"

This time, Jolene didn't even bother replying to him. She told the driver to start the car. Soon, the procession left the Miller residence.

Having no time to attend to her whims, Preston hailed a taxi.

When he arrived at the hot spring resort in the suburbs, he saw his friends huddled around Simone. Instantly, he frowned. "Didn't you say Simone was in danger?"

His friends pulled him inside, chuckling.

One said, "We lied! How else would you be able to escape the wedding?"

Another claimed, "We just want to see how embarrassed Jolene would be today!"

Preston's face changed at their words. He immediately shoved their hands aside and turned to leave. "This isn't the time for this!"

Simone clung to his arm, blinking her reddened eyes. She pleaded with him, "Pres, I really do have a headache. Can you keep me company? We're quite far from the wedding venue. You won't make it in time anyway."

Although what she said was true, Jolene…

Just as he hesitated, his friends had already turned on the live broadcast. On the screen, the wedding proceeded as planned.

Everyone smiled mockingly seeing as how Jolene obstinately refused to call off the wedding.

"Does she still plan to go on with it? It would be really embarrassing when the wedding started without the groom!"

"Is she that desperate to get married? She's doing this at the expense of the dignity of both of your families. It'll be hilarious if she can't resolve the crisis!"

Preston didn't understand what on earth Jolene was thinking. His expression was clouded with anger. He contemplated whether or not he should contact his family.

Just then, he heard someone exclaim, "It's starting!"

Preston instinctively looked up and saw Francis leading Jolene down the aisle. She stood alone under the spotlight. For a long time, the groom didn't show up.

Question marks flooded the screen, and the audience started asking where the groom was.

Preston's friends burst out laughing, doubling over.

Preston knew that would happen. His expression was cold as he growled, "How foolish!"

He couldn't bear to watch on. Just as he was about to turn it off, he heard the emcee announce, "Here's the groom!"

The next moment, the door opened!

With everyone watching, Cedric made his entrance in a perfectly tailored black suit.

He adjusted his gold-rimmed glasses and nodded slightly to acknowledge the crowd. His cold, intense gaze swept across the room, exuding an air of oppression. 

In an instant, the hall fell silent. Every guest froze in disbelief. No one had expected Cedric to be the groom in the strategic marriage between the Norwoods and the Millers.

Those watching the live stream were eager for drama. Yet, they, too, were struck silent.

Preston gritted his teeth in fury, veins bulging on his forehead. His voice was laced with rage as he roared, "Uncle Cedric? This can't be real! There must be some mistake!"

Everyone in the room snapped back to reality upon hearing that. 

"Y-You're right! It must be a mix-up on the host's end. How could Mr. Norwood marry Jolene? The age difference is too big!" someone stammered.

Another chimed in, "Jolene wouldn't even marry Pres! There's no way she deserves Mr. Norwood. This has

Chapter 8