Time passed, and the day of Mark and Briana’s wedding arrived.However, it was the same day that Katrina and James were also getting married.This reminded everyone involved of the infamous bet James and Mark had made about who would throw the more lavish party.Fearing that Mark might somehow win the bet, Katrina and James decided to cancel their ceremony at the Rocha Hotel and booked the family’s event hall located in a more remote neighborhood.This provided more parking space and even a helicopter landing pad, should anyone need it.Katrina was looking at the interior of the elegantly decorated hall, adorned with top-quality materials and fresh flowers.Christopher, the older brother, gave a thumbs-up in approval.“Little sis, everything is perfect. You’re going to rock it today.”“The person I want to rock is someone else.” Katrina giggled, thinking of Briana.“Don’t worry. Today is your day.” Christopher patted her on the head.“Christopher, I don’t know if I can thank you enoug
At some isolated point in Braspolis, Mark stood waiting with his arms crossed and a serious expression on his face. The deserted road stretched out horizontally, seemingly without a beginning or an end. A warm wind brushed against Mark's face, slightly ruffling his hair. As he glanced at his wristwatch (a very expensive brand, though unknown to Briana's family), the sound of an approaching car made Mark more alert. As he waited, a limousine pulled up near him. Several men in black got out and greeted him respectfully. "Lord Ferro!" "What's the situation?" Mark asked in a serious tone, fitting for someone who is the leader of the Army. "Inside are the wife and daughter of Agent 12, Lord Ferro," The driver, who seemed to be in charge of the mission, responded promptly. "Unfortunately, our agent is still in enemy hands. We are doing everything possible to rescue him unharmed." Mark nodded. He approached the limousine's rear door. There, a woman around 35 years old and a teenage
"Here's the situation," Mark began instructing Linda, "I'm still involved in the rescue of Agent 12. You need to check the final preparations for the wedding party. "Have all the guests confirmed their attendance?" Mark asked urgently. "There are still some families and important figures who haven't confirmed yet. Maybe we sent the invitations at the last minute, Lord Ferro." Linda tried to find a reason for the delay of these people. We're talking about an invitation extended by the illustrious Lord Ferro! People would kill to receive an invitation, no matter the event or the time! But it seems that some people don't know what's good for them... Mark smiled confidently. "Don't worry. They'll show up. Keep monitoring it. Oh, and there's more..." Mark spoke a little more. Linda nodded and hung up. She turned back to the computers. Her assistants hadn't turned off the audio and continued listening to what was happening. Now, Briana was casually dressed, sitting at the kitchen ta
Briana's phone dialed Mark's number... Ring... ring... ring... That robotic lady answered in Mark's place: 'The number you have dialed is out of the coverage area or turned off. Please try again later.' Briana turned extremely pale, unable to utter a single word. It felt like she had swallowed beach sand! But even if she could still speak, WHAT would she say to her toxic parents? Sandro and Nadir exchanged glances, a mix of victory and disappointment on their faces. Victory because they felt they were right about Mark, the Pauper. Disappointment because they were once again humiliated by Gilson and Claudia! "He's not answering, is he?" "Dad, before you start—" "HE'S NOT ANSWERING, IS HE?" Sandro cut off his daughter, exploding finally. It didn't matter how, today he and Nadir were going to speak their minds! Enough, our daughter is living in a world of illusion! "I can't take this anymore!" Nadir suddenly stormed off to her room. After the door slammed shut, Sandro cont
Briana felt like she was in a whirlwind of emotions and decisions beyond her control.She felt like a raft tossed by the tides, with an uncertain destination.Did no one care about what she thought or wanted?For instance, what on earth was she supposed to do at the wedding of her cousin who hated her, from the family that had expelled her?“Mom, of all the proud people, I thought you would have your pride.” Briana shook her head, incredulous at Nadir’s attitude.“At least I have pride, unlike you.” Nadir placed her hands on her hips. “I would never have looked at that poor guy, no matter how handsome and fit he is.”“Do you really think that’s the only reason I married him?” Briana crossed her arms.“Isn’t it, friend?” Luana asked, taking the opportunity. “Tell us, then, what motivated you to marry him.”Briana shot a fierce look at Luana, feeling like she was being questioned again.No matter what, they would never know the damn story about her being drugged!Sandro, shaking his hea
Mark, still busy with the rescue of Agent 12, kept his phone turned off.After all, he had already given precise instructions to Linda Mattes.He didn’t want anyone to notice and track Briana’s call.If the enemy lines discovered that he was married...Linda, in the office where she monitored the situation, watched the scene with a frown. It was time to do something.“They won’t give up. I need to do what Lord Ferro instructed.” Linda picked up the phone.Meanwhile, at Sandro’s apartment, Briana seemed frozen in the living room.Where was her wedding dress?Mark had promised to take care of everything, but the truth was that he hadn’t kept her informed about any preparations.Luana returned from Briana’s room, this time no longer hiding her smirking smile.“There’s no wedding dress, is there?”“No.” Briana was forced to admit, gritting her teeth.“So there’s nothing more to discuss. Let’s go to your cousin’s wedding.” Luana didn’t suggest; her tone indicated an order.Briana scanned L
“Hello, am I speaking with Mrs. Ferro?”Briana couldn’t believe she didn’t have a heart attack at that moment.An unknown number was looking for MRS. FERRO! How was that possible?Clinging to hope like it was a light at the end of the tunnel, Briana nearly fused the phone to her ear.“Are you with Mark? Where is he? Put him on the line NOW!”“Mrs. Ferro, please remain calm. I’m calling only to inform you that you need to wait patiently at your Cousin Katrina Vasconcelos’s party, soon to be Mrs. James Ross.”“Who are you? How do you know Mark?” Briana didn’t want to know anything else.She just wanted two minutes with Mark to curse out everything that was stuck in her throat!How could he disappear and leave her in the dark? That’s unacceptable!Linda, strictly following Mark’s instructions, continued, “Mrs. Ferro, it is imperative that you wait at the Rocha Event Hall."Please, don’t complicate things. I’m simply relaying the instructions I received.”Without further ado, Linda ended
Briana clutched the phone as if she were strangling her own parents.But it wasn’t just them. She began to feel suspicion and displeasure at how Mark was handling the situation.Okay, he’s planning a surprise for her? But why did it have to be like this?Leaving the apartment unseen, leaving a note that didn’t explain anything, letting everyone think he’s hiding because he couldn’t honor the bet...Why did Mark have to make the bet in the first place?If Briana goes to Katrina and James’s wedding, isn’t she just asking to be further humiliated?Luana, once again trying to be the comforting friend, placed her hand on Briana’s right shoulder. “Friend, you have two choices: stay here in the apartment and stew over a marriage that was never meant to be, or go to your cousin’s wedding and honor the bet that your failed husband didn’t have the guts to.“At least you’ll show that you have honor. I’m sure that if you have a proper talk with your grandmother, she might even forgive you and rei