Chapter 4

The moment he turned around, Michael's cronies burst out laughing.

"Michael, you're something else—marrying two brides in one day."

"From now on Myrtle's the boss's wife, and the good-for-nothing Miss Vaughn can only be a concubine."

Michael's smug voice rang out.

"Renata wouldn't dare not do as I say. Whether it's Vaughn Group or the research at the institute, without me she's finished."

I smiled to myself. I'd only given him the vice president title to make it easier to bring the patent to market—and here he was, actually thinking he mattered.

By the time I came out in my wedding dress, Michael was already up on the stage with his arm around Myrtle.

The two of them gazed deeply into each other's eyes and were solemnly exchanging rings.

The instant the ceremony was done, Michael grabbed Myrtle and kissed her hard.

Myrtle's already swollen lips turned even redder and more swollen.

Her eyes went glassy and her cheeks flushed as she collapsed right into his arms.

She clutched at his chest with both hands, and I nearly laughed out loud. Low-class people really can't carry themselves in public.

A wedding in a grand five-star ballroom, and they'd turned it into a scene straight out of some hotel-affair movie.

But Michael's buddies didn't mind in the least. They clapped and cheered along.

"Michael, keep kissing her, Myrtle's waiting!"

"Michael, give the guys something intense—the truer the love, the deeper the kiss."

Michael looked up and grinned at them, then quickly pulled Myrtle back into his arms and gave her a long, deep French kiss.

Smacking sounds echoed through the luxurious ballroom.

The Vaughn family's friends, business partners, and relatives began to murmur among themselves.

"What's going on? Isn't today Ms. Vaughn and Mr. Henson's wedding? Why is there a different bride?"

"Right, and what's the young lady doing standing off to the side in a wedding dress?"

Before Michael could speak, his cronies started shouting.

"Today is Michael's wedding to our Myrtle. Ms. Vaughn comes second—she can only be a concubine to our Mr. Henson."

"Renata, you'd better learn your place. Bow and pay your respects when you see us, or Michael won't even let you into his bed."

Michael finally stopped chewing on her mouth, lifted his head, wiped his lips, and looked at me, full of himself.

"Renata, now it's time to hold our wedding."

"Oh, and go ahead and make the share transfer agreement and Myrtle's engagement letter public first, or I won't go through with this wedding today."

Just as he stepped over and reached out to pull me along, I broke into a wide smile and backhanded him across the face, hard.

"Michael, there's no wedding today—only slaps."

Before he could react, I turned, took the microphone, and solemnly announced to all the guests,

"Since Mr. Michael Henson is now married and has a family of his own, the Vaughn family's adoption is complete, and he has no further connection to the Vaughn family from this day on."

As I spoke, I threw the disownment letter, written in my father's own hand, in his face.

The whole room erupted. Michael's face turned livid on the spot, and he roared,

"Renata, there's a time and place for your jealous fits. Keep making a scene like this and you can forget about ever marrying me."

"You'll spend the rest of your life a spinster. Let's see who'd dare take you."

At that moment, Scott stepped slowly out from behind me, holding a huge bouquet of brilliant roses, and knelt on one knee.

"Renata, will you marry me and be my bride for all my life?"

Looking into Scott's earnest eyes, I raised my hand and waved. The staff moved in at once, and in an instant the decorations in the hall were transformed.

I slowly held out my ring finger and let Scott slide on the ring he was holding up.

"I will—for all my life, never to part."