Chapter 4

Tyler checked his watch. “Wrap it up, boys. Chloe’s almost here. Don't let this trash ruin our schedule.”

He took a few steps toward the door, then turned around with a wicked grin. “You two, haul him out to the front entrance. Let everyone see what happens to a broke nobody who dares lust after my bride.”

They dragged me across the gravel toward the main pavilion. The friction shredded my dress shirt, scraping against raw skin.

Chloe arrived.

She wore a custom haute couture bridal gown, an unmistakable design from a Paris runway legend, dripping with thousands of hand-stitched South Sea pearls.

Her skin looked flawless, glowing and porcelain. Millions of dollars of my money spent on high-end dermatologists and wellness retreats had bought that radiant complexion.

She carried herself like a proud swan, chin raised high, looking down on everything around her with utter disdain.

Tyler’s mother hobbled alongside her, bowing her back obsequiously, carefully holding up Chloe’s train.

Tyler’s small-town buddies stood lined up along the carpet, staring at her with wide-eyed awe and envy.

Chloe visibly relished the adoration. A subtle, condescending smirk played on her lips while flower girls scrambled to keep her hem off the ground.

Surrounded by envious gazes, Tyler stepped forward and took Chloe’s manicured hand.

To be fair, Tyler had the looks. With proper management, he could have made it as a boy-band idol.

Chloe took a phone from her maid of honor and typed a quick message. I knew without looking that it was going to me.

Tyler’s jaw tightened slightly with irritation, but he didn't dare complain.

I slumped against the stone pillar near the steps, battered and bloody. The throbbing pain across my ribs made it hard to draw a breath, let alone raise my head.

Chloe spotted me from a distance and clicked her tongue in disgust, shooting Tyler a displeased look.

“Why is there a filthy beggar ruining our entrance?”

Tyler laughed and pointed straight at me.

“I wanted the world to see what happens when a broke stalker tries to crash our wedding and claim Miss Chloe of Apex Logistics! A shameless gold-digger who thinks he can punch above his weight!”

He turned to Chloe with an oily, fawning smile.

“It’s him, babe. The guy who used to sponsor me years ago. He actually thought he could replace me! As if an insect like him could ever qualify to be Apex’s son-in-law! He’s polluting your vision, Chloe.”

Chloe seemed thoroughly flattered by his words. She strode over in her diamond-encrusted heels and planted a kick right against my shoulder.

“Apex Logistics isn’t something scum like you can dream about,” she sneered.

“A lowlife like you doesn't even have the right to utter my name. Understand?

Once trash, always trash. Stop dreaming of punching above your class.”

On her final word, she stomped her heel down toward my face.

With every ounce of strength left in my battered body, I twisted aside.

“You dare dodge?!” Chloe hissed. “Someone hold him down! Finish him!”

The groomsmen exchanged uneasy glances. Assault was one thing; manslaughter was another.

Chloe scoffed coldly. “No matter what happens, Apex Logistics will shield you. You won’t see a day in court.”

I coughed, spitting a mouthful of blood onto the marble steps, and slowly forced my chin up.

“You’ve really grown up, Chloe.”