Stepping out of the room, each step Harper took felt heavier and heavier.Because this was such a special night, Margaret had insisted that her daughter get ready at their other residence instead of her own. But even so, it did nothing to ease the unease in her heart.As she entered the elevator, her heartbeat pounded harder against her chest. The resistance she had been suppressing inside her threatened to rise to the surface. For the first time in her life, Harper found herself in a situation she absolutely did not want to be in.Ding!The elevator doors slid open as she reached the first floor.As Harper stepped out, every eye in the room turned to her. The maids, the bodyguards—none of them could look away. Not a single one could even blink."My God… Is this the true beauty of Miss Winslow?" they thought, unable to utter a word, their gazes locked onto her."Lord Nicholas is truly fortunate to have an angel like her.""You look stunning tonight, sweetie."Edward, Harper’s father,

"Oh, come on! This whole event is so ridiculously stiff and formal!"From the parking lot in the distance, Wangyal stood beside the limo, shaking his head as he gazed toward the grand manor's entrance."I made the right decision running away from my family, Marc. Nobility is just too full of tedious and complicated formalities! Just look at that mess!"Marc leaned against the limo next to him, arms crossed. Hearing Wangyal’s exaggerated complaints, he had to press his lips together tightly to keep from bursting into laughter.Wangyal, the legendary driver from Asheville, was once again launching into one of his bombastic tales—this time about his noble lineage. He claimed he was born into an aristocratic family but had chosen to forsake his title in pursuit of the free-spirited life he truly desired.Anyone hearing him speak and watching his earnest expression would be convinced he was telling the truth.But Marc knew better. He knew for a fact it was all nonsense. Still, he kept a st

"The groom-to-be, Lord Nicholas Everstone, and the bride-to-be, Miss Harper Winslow. May you be blessed by the heavens, protected, and guided by its grace."The wedding officiant, clad in flowing white robes adorned with intricate accessories, wore a golden crown atop his head and held a golden staff in his left hand. With his right hand, he gestured alternately towards Nicholas and Harper. Beside him stood two attendants, each holding a tray.The officiant then took a peacock feather, approximately a foot long, from the tray held by the attendant on his right. He dipped it into a golden basin filled with holy water on the tray of the attendant to his left. With careful precision, he sprinkled the sacred water onto Nicholas and Harper, three times each.Closing his eyes, he pressed his hands together in front of his chest and murmured a prayer. When he opened them again, his gaze was both serene and resolute as he turned to Nicholas."Lord Nicholas Everstone, in the name of the divine

"No, you can't do this to me!"Snapping out of his daze after his body froze for a few seconds from the shock crashing into his chest, Nicholas refused to stay still. He hurried after Harper, who was walking away from him."Please, don't joke around like this. This night is too important—for us, for our future."But instead of being moved by his pleas, Harper only felt more disgusted. Rather than stopping, she continued forward without even glancing back at him."Please, I'm begging you. I swear I'll never hurt your feelings again. Just... don't do this."Because Harper remained silent, Nicholas quickened his pace. He even tried to grab her shoulder, but she ignored him completely."Harpie, please, isn't this what we wanted? The future we dreamed of? You still remember that, don’t you?"Out of options, Nicholas grabbed her hand and pulled her toward him."Tell me, deep down, you love me. That’s the truth, isn't it?" Holding both of her hands in his, Nicholas locked eyes with her, his

Sobs racked Rachel's body as tears streamed down her face. The pain was unbearable, radiating through her like a searing wound, and yet, somehow, she remained conscious."Nic, stop! Please, stop! It hurts!" she cried, shaking her head desperately, pleading with him.But Nicholas only grinned wider, as if her suffering fueled something dark within him. His grip tightened, his actions growing more forceful, his disregard for her pain chilling."Nic, you bastard! I said, stop!"Summoning all the strength she had left, Rachel tried to push him away, but she was no match for his overpowering strength. Her struggle was in vain.Then—Slap! Slap!Two sharp strikes landed across her face."Scream all you want, you little tramp! No one will hear you, let alone save you! I made sure your parents wouldn’t be home tonight. This night belongs to us! Hahaha!"Nicholas’ eyes gleamed with wicked delight. The more she fought, the more he relished in her helplessness.And in fact, it was his plan to ma