Three dayster, the wedding of the Holt and Quigley families was held in the grand ballroom of the most luxurious hotel in Ashford City.


    As Henry''s childhood friends,n and Xavier arrived early. They stood on either side of him, helping to greet the arriving guests.


    Xavier, with his usual gentle and refined air, wore a light-colored suit that made him look all the more dashing. His warm smile could make anyone feel at ease.


    The two of them, one cool andposed, the other warm and gentle, stood next to the radiant groom, looking like a trio of top models and drawing admiring nces from all the female guests.


    "Nervous?" Xavier teased Henry during a lull.


    Henry tugged at his bow tie and grinned. "A little, yeah. But mostly, I''m just happy."


    Then, his brow suddenly furrowed. "That Walden Wells is on the guest list."


    Henry had already told Xavier about Walden''s current rtionship with Vanessa. Xavier patted his shoulder. "Today is your big day. Don''t think about unpleasant things."


    Henry nodded, the look of disgust vanishing from his face.


    ***


    At Walden Wells''s vi.


    Vanessa, wearing a silk robe, leaned back against the sofa, her face pale as she rested her head wearily in her hard. She looked weakly at Walden, Who was already dressed. "Walden, I feel so dizzy, and I have no energy. I think I caught a chillst night... I''m afraid I can''t go to the wedding with you today."


    She had been so worried about it that she hadn''t slept a wink the night before and had even had a nightmare. In it, she was publicly shamed by everyone from her old social circle, mocked and scorned until she jolted awake in a panic.


    Faking an illness was the most direct way she could think of to avoid attending.


    Walden, already dressed in a smart suit while a maid adjusted his tie, heard her words and his face fell. He narrowed his eyes, studying Vanessa on the sofa. There was none of his usual indulgence in his gaze, only an all-knowing displeasure.


    "Dizzy? No energy?" Walden chuckled humorlessly. "I don''t think you''re feeling sick. I think your heart is what''s feeling ufortable."


    He waved the maid away and walked over to the sofa, looking down at her. "What''s the matter? You found outn will be there today, so now you don''t dare to be seen with this old man? Do you think I''m not presentable enough? Are you ashamed to be seen with me?"


    Vanessa was stunned, a panicked look shing across her face. She quickly got up and wrapped her arms around Walden''s neck. "Walden, how could you think that? I really don''t feel well—"


    "Enough," Walden cut her off


    impatiently "Don''t think I don''t see through your little tricks. I don''t care


    whose woman you were before.


    Now that you''re with more n


    you''l


    behave. All the big names will be at this event today. If the woman I, Walden Wells, bring with me is still thinking about another man, how is that supposed to make me look?"


    Vanessa''s face paled, and tears of indignation welled up in her eyes. "Walden, you''ve misunderstood me How could I still be thinking aboutn? Qur rtionship was alwayspletely professional, nothing more than a business arrangement." Then as if she''d suffered the greatest injustice, her eyes


    reddened. "I admit, I usedn''s fame to boost my own vanity before, but I see things clearly now. I know who truly loves me and understands me."