The elegant wedding hall buzzed with activity as prominent figures rose from their seats, each eager to curry favor with the Gutsby family."The Western Bank of Apple City stands with you, Ben!" Marcus Thompson, the bank's president, declared, adjusting his gold cufflinks. "This nobody won't be able to open so much as a savings account in this city.""Hamilton Industries will ensure he never sets foot in any tech company in Apple City." Sarah Hamilton announced, her diamond necklace glinting under the chandeliers.This is exactly the influence I needed to demonstrate, Ben thought smugly, watching the power players align themselves one by one."My media conglomerate will make sure everyone knows what a pathetic troublemaker he is," shouted Richard Chen, CEO of Chen Media Group."He'll be toxic to any employer in the country!"Victoria, beaming with pride, clutched her champagne glass."Oh, Ben darling, just look at how everyone respects you! This is exactly why you're perfect for my
"I propose we teach our uninvited guest a lesson about respect. “Anyone who helps ensure this... person," he spat the word like poison."... never works in Apple City again will have the full support of the Gutsby Family.""The Gutsby Family?" several voices murmured with interest. The name carried weight, and everyone knew it."That's right," Ben continued, straightening his designer suit. "As you all know, my family's influence runs deep in this city. Anyone who stands with me today won't regret it. The Gutsby Family never forgets its friends."Vivian clutched Ben's arm, her diamond bracelet catching the light. "Darling, you're too kind offering help to these people just to deal with this... nobody."She shot Louis a venomous look."Though he certainly deserves whatever's coming to him.""Oh, honey," Ben kissed her cheek, "anything for you. And besides, ..." He turned back to the crowd, "do you know where we are? This is Neckor Island's premier wedding venue. Do you think just
The entire ceremony fell silent with Louis’s wordsWhat the fuck?This nobody made a random call to who-knows-whom and said the wedding was cancelled?Who did he think he was?Just then, Vivian burst into a loud laugh."Oh my God! You’re really hilarious! You think you can simply cancel it? Who do you think you are?" Vivian's voice rose hysterically."Have you lost your mind?"“Exactly! Does he think he’s the island owner or something?”"You have ten minutes," Louis continued calmly. "After that, security will escort you out.""You can't—" Ben started."I can," Louis cut him off. Vivian's mouth opened and closed like a fish out of water.She didn’t understand why Louis was this bold."This is impossible! You're nothing! A nobody!"The gathered crowd fell into stunned silence as Louis thumbed another number on his phone."Security?" he spoke clearly. "Please begin the evacuation procedures. Anyone not on the approved list needs to leave within the hour."Juliet watched in amazement
Unlike the others, she saw no humor in this public humiliation."He probably practiced this entrance in the mirror," a young socialite giggled. "Rehearsed his little dramatic moment!""Should we call animal control?" someone joked cruelly. "Seems we have a stray that needs removing!"Vivian basked in the mockery. "See, Louis? Everyone knows exactly what you are – a desperate nobody who can't accept rejection."The crystal walls seemed to amplify every cutting laugh, every whispered insult. Only Juliet remained silent, her mind wrestling with the contradiction between the Louis she knew and the one being portrayed."Security's taking their time," a groomsman called out."Maybe he bribed them too!""Wouldn't put it past him," Vivian sneered. "He always was good at crawling his way into places he doesn't belong.""What's wrong, Louis?" Vivian taunted. "No clever comebacks? Finally realizing your place in the world?"Everyone laughed as if Louis was a joker and trying to humiliate h
How could the gentle, supportive Louis be the same person Vivian called 'the biggest mistake of her life'?"What's your plan this time?" Vivian demanded. angrily "Try to win me back? Make some dramatic scene? Beg for another chance like the desperate dog you are?""He's probably hoping to get his picture in the society pages," Jackson called from the back. "Still trying to climb that social ladder!""You disgust me," Vivian continued, her voice echoing off the crystal walls."Mom was right about everything – you're nothing but a calculated fraud who fooled me once. Never again!"The guests shifted uncomfortably, some already posting to social media, others recording the confrontation with barely concealed excitement.Juliet felt her world tilting sideways. The Louis who defended my family's honor... is the same man they're calling a social-climbing fraud?How could that be?Something must be wrong, right?"Security!" Vivian screamed again. "Get this piece of garbage out of my si
Hanging up the phone, Louis walked along the island’s unique scenic path, following the iconic crytal-stone path.Everything was just like before, which made Louis feel as if he had returned to the past.Before he knew it, Louis had already passed through the tropical gardens.Soon, the path wound through tropical gardens until the wedding venue appeared – a masterpiece of crystal and precious gems catching the sunlight in rainbow prisms."And now, ..." Just then, the officiant's voice carried through the structure."By the words of God and the witnesses, I now pronounce the groom, Ben Gutsby, and the bride, Vivian Howard, as husband and wife. You may kiss...”Outside the transparent wedding chapel made of crystal and gems, Louis heard Vivian’s name and glanced in that direction.There, he saw Vivian in her bridal gown, her makeup heavy, her smile broad.However, Louis’s gaze didn’t linger on her for the least bit.Instead, his gaze shifted to Juliet, who stood not far away, wearing
However, Victoria stepped closer, her voice venomous. "Listen here, you worthless—""No, you listen," Louis interrupted calmly without stopping or looking backward. "Enjoy your standing here making assumptions and learn to shut up.” “Even better, why don't you watch and learn how a real entrance is made?"Jackson laughed mockingly. "Oh, this I've got to see. The great Louis about to be humiliated!"Watching Louis’s receding figure, Jackson couldn’t help but laughed out loud.Without an invitation, Louis would surely be humiliated.And he couldn’t wait to see that good show."Watch this circus show. He's about to get the humiliation he deserves." Victoria whispered.Her red lips curling into a cruel smile. Meanwhile, Louis continued walking, his steps measured and sure.Approached the checkpoint, Louis could feel the blatantly malicious gaze, but he remained unmoved.Twelve armed sentinels stood at attention, their black uniforms and reflective sunglasses creating an imposing ba
“Haha, maybe we have met when we were kids and forgot all about it!”“You're so funny! Seriously though, talking to you feels so... familiar. Safe, somehow.”He smiled sadly at her words, wishing he could tell her everything – how she'd saved his life, how he'd carried that gratitude all these years.“That's one of the nicest things anyone's ever said to me.”“You bring out the honest side in me. I can't explain it, but I'm so glad we're friends.”“Me too, Juliet.”As he typed those words, Louis made a silent promise to himself. He'd find a way to repay her kindness, even if she never knew the full story. Sometimes, he reflected, the best way to honor the past was to protect the present.The morning sun glinted off Necker Island's pristine dock as luxury yachts bobbed gently in the crystal-clear waters. Louis adjusted his casual linen shirt, taking in the extravagant wedding decorations that transformed the already stunning venue into something magical."Well, well, well. Look what
Louis exhaled deeply as Vivian and Ben's voices finally faded.He reached for his phone as it buzzed. The screen lit up with "Terminator X" calling."Hello?"“I hope I’m not interrupting your evening, Sir.”Louis raised an eyebrow, slightly amused. “Not at all. In fact, I was about to call you myself. I heard you’ll be on Neckor Island next week. I’m guessing it was meant to be a surprise?”There was a pause on the other end, followed by an awkward chuckle. “Indeed, Sir, you’re always one step ahead.” “I was planning a grand welcome, but now ... I suspect you’d rather I kept things simple?”“Spot on,” Louis replied with a slight smile. “I appreciate the gesture, but a low-key meeting is more my style.”“Consider it done, Sir.” Terminator X said respectfully.“And one more thing, Sir. Your ex-wife’s fiance had booked a wedding on Neckor Island a week later. Should I cancel it as a little ‘lesson’? It’d be no trouble at all.”“No need.”Louis shook his head. He didn’t want to was