Chapter 1

Though clearly shocked, the hotel manager, Clifton Payne's professionalism kicked in. He immediately replied, "Of course, Ms. Drew. I'll initiate the cancellation process for you right away."

After hanging up, I reached up to remove the crystal tiara from my head and toss the custom haute couture veil, worth over 300,000 dollars, carelessly onto the couch.

Suddenly, a flurry of hurried footsteps came from outside the door. It was violently shoved open with a loud bang.

Everett Green's mom, Susanne Grant, walked in wearing a dark red dress meant for the wedding. Her facial features were twisted with displeasure, and her brows were tightly furrowed.

She immediately slipped into her usual lecturing tone. "What are you throwing a fit about now, Madeline Drew? Even if Everett is running a little late picking up Della, so what?

"Della has had it tough ever since she was a kid. She's upset today, so Everett stopped by to comfort her. She was like a sister to Everett, how could you be so inconsiderate?"

I ignored her and quietly removed my pearl earrings as I announced, "If he's not coming, the wedding's off."

Susanne was briefly stunned before she let out a mocking laugh. "Who are you trying to scare, Madeline? Do you honestly think this trick will work on me? Do you think you're still an eighteen-year-old girl?"

She marched up to me in high heels, jabbed a finger in my face, and sneered. "The invitations were sent out, and all our relatives and friends are waiting downstairs. If you're calling it off, you're one who'll end up looking ridiculous."

After finishing her rant, she whipped out her phone and opened the family group chat named "The Loving Green Family".

Holding down the voice message button, she raised her voice by an octave, as if to make sure everyone in the hallway could hear her. "Everyone, have some tea while you wait. The bride's throwing a tantrum!

"She's upset because Everett went to pick Della up, and now she's throwing a fit, saying the wedding's off.

"Young people these days are just so petty. Imagine keeping score over something like this with family."

The moment the voice note was sent, several replies popped up in the chat.

"Young ladies these days are so spoiled. Everett has such a great temper; I don't know how he puts up with this."

"Calm down, Susanne. You can teach her how to behave and follow the rules once they're married."

A knock sounded at the door once again.

Clifton walked in carrying a stack of paperwork. He was so respectful that no one could find a single flaw in his attitude.

"Your cancellation request has been processed, Ms. Drew. This is the cancellation receipt for the two-million-dollar wedding.

"A breach of contract fee of 400,000 dollars has been deducted, and the remaining 1.6 million dollars will be refunded to your original account within three business days.

"Please sign here to confirm."

The smug look on Susanne's face immediately froze. Her eyes locked onto the string of zeros in the "2,000,000" figure on the receipt. Her eyes widened so much that she seemed to have stopped breathing for a full second.

"D-Did you actually cancel it?"

I took the pen from Clifton and signed my name in one smooth stroke.

"Clear out the ballroom. Tear down all the tables, chairs, flower arrangements, and decorations. No one except hotel staff is permitted inside."

Clifton accepted the paperwork and nodded. "Understood. I will arrange for security personnel to clear the venue at once."

Susanne finally panicked. She rushed forward in her high heels. Her finger trembled as she pointed at me. "Have you lost your mind?

"All the guests are nearly here! If you tear everything down, you'll completely humiliate us!

"Call the manager back right now and tell him to stop this second! Do you hear me?"

She was still putting on her elder airs, assuming that if she yelled loud enough, I would give in the way I always did for the past five years.

I didn't even spare her a passing glance.

Lifting the heavy train of my wedding gown, I picked up the room key card from the table and walked toward the door.

"Humiliate you? What does the Green family's reputation have to do with me?"

At the door, I paused in my tracks and never turned back.

"As for the Green family relatives downstairs, tell them to head to Soumoton and pound sand."