"I... I needed to see my sister about something."

"What is it?"

Joel Kane scratched his head, hesitating to speak.

"Well, what is it?"

"Can I borrow the necklace that belonged to your mom?"

Joel Kane knew Sophie Shaw had a necklace designed by the late Mina Ford. It had won a major design award and was incredibly valuable.

"What do you need the necklace for?"

"I need it for something."

"What for?"

Joel Kane hung his head, looking pitiful. "I just want to show off to a classmate. She loves jewelry and wants to be a designer when she grows up. I told her that my sister’s mom was a designer..."

Sophie Shaw stared at him for a moment, then smiled. "A girl?"

Joel Kane nodded.

"How long for?"

"I’ll just take it to school on Monday to show her."

Sophie Shaw hesitated for a moment before getting out of bed. She shuffled over to the wardrobe, dragging her injured ankle.

Joel Kane watched as she opened the wardrobe door, stood on tiptoe, and retrieved a delicate box from the top shelf. The necklace was inside.

"Here you go. Make sure you bring it back after you’ve shown it to your friend."

Joel Kane took the box and clutched it carefully to his chest. He gave her a goofy grin. "Thanks, Sis."

After leaving Sophie Shaw’s room, he didn’t return to his own but went straight to Vianne Kane’s bedroom.

His hands were full with the box, so he couldn’t knock. Instead, he kicked the door lightly a couple of times.

Vianne Kane quickly opened the door. Seeing the box in his arms, her red lips curled into a smirk. "Did you get it?"

Joel Kane held out the box with both hands.

"Do you know what to say afterward?"

"Yeah, I know."

Vianne Kane took the box and gave him a look. He obediently turned and ran back to his room.

After closing the door, Vianne Kane walked to the bed with the box. She opened it to confirm the necklace was inside, then crooked a finger at Damian Morgan, who had just gotten out of the shower.

The man, wearing a bathrobe, walked over while drying his wet hair with a towel. He glanced at the necklace in the box, then leaned down to kiss Vianne Kane’s cheek. "You’re the one with all the devious ideas."

"Of course I am."

Vianne Kane looked smug. "Sophie Shaw is only playing hardball and trying to buy your shares because she got her hands on some money. Once that money’s gone, she won’t be so tough anymore."

—

「The next day.」

First thing in the morning, Alaric Blackwood sent a message with the location of a bridal shop and a brief four-word text: See you at ten.

She sent back a one-word reply, "Okay," then sat on the living room sofa after breakfast, icing her ankle, which was still swollen and sore.

"What happened to your ankle?" Vianne Kane asked as she passed by, her voice dripping with false concern and a smile that didn’t reach her eyes.

"I twisted it by accident."

"You’re so clumsy. And you still have to prepare for a wedding while dragging around an injured ankle. How tough for you."

After delivering her snide remarks with a cheerful laugh, Vianne Kane walked away, swaying her hips.

Just as she left, Anne arrived.

To save Sophie Shaw the trouble of walking, Anne drove the car into the courtyard and parked right at the front door.

She carefully helped Sophie into the car. Following the location Alaric Blackwood had sent, they arrived at the bridal shop at 9:40.

The two waited in the seating area for a little while before Mandy Halloway and Alaric Blackwood arrived, one after the other.

"After we look at dresses, we can go to the wedding planner and look at venues," Mandy Halloway said to Sophie with a smile. "I know we’re on a tight schedule, but please, tell me what kind of wedding you want."

An image flashed through Sophie’s mind: herself in a white wedding gown, marrying Damian Morgan in a stately church.

There was a time she believed she would walk down the aisle with Damian Morgan.

"Do you prefer a Chinese or Western-style ceremony?" Mandy asked.

She thought for a moment, then said, "Let’s go with Chinese-style."

"Then let’s look at some traditional Chinese gowns."

She nodded and rose from the sofa, limping after Mandy Halloway.

Noticing she was having trouble walking, Mandy Halloway stopped at once. "Sophie, what happened to your ankle?"

"I accidentally sprained it last night."

Mandy Halloway’s gaze shifted to Alaric Blackwood, who was behind her. "Well, what are you standing there for?"

’?’

"Carry her."

Sophie’s face instantly flushed crimson. "No, it’s fine. I can walk on my own."

Seeing Alaric Blackwood walk toward her, she took a step back. "Please, just let me walk on my own."

She didn’t want to die of public embarrassment.

Alaric Blackwood stared at the bright red tips of her ears. He reached out, wrapped an arm around her waist, and was about to lift her when she pressed both hands against his chest. "Really, please don’t..."

"You’re too slow."

"I can walk on my own."

Before the man could make a move, she pulled Anne to her side and linked her arm tightly through hers.

"The traditional gowns are in the showroom. This way, please." A staff member gestured politely.

Leaning on Anne for support, Sophie slowly trailed behind the others.

"Which one do you like, Sophie?" Mandy Halloway asked, clearly valuing her opinion.

She glanced at the traditional gowns in the showroom and chose a relatively understated one. Once she had made her choice, Alaric Blackwood didn’t need to pick his, as the bride’s and groom’s attire came as a matching set.

Just as Anne was picking out a bridesmaid’s dress, Jaden, Alaric Blackwood’s best man, made his late arrival.

"This one’s nice." Anne had just chosen a dress when she turned and saw Jaden.

Sophie recognized him as well, much to her surprise. "Lawyer Garland?"

Jaden gave a polite nod. "We meet again."

"You two know each other?"

Sophie’s gaze flickered between Jaden and Alaric Blackwood.

Jaden smiled and slung an arm over Alaric Blackwood’s shoulder. "We grew up together."

Alaric had even invested in his law firm, which was why the firm was named Garwood.

Sophie quickly put the pieces together. She couldn’t help but recall Anne saying that Jaden Garland had gotten Nina Halloway out of trouble several times.

’No wonder...’

’So they all know each other.’

"Did you pick out a tux for me?" Jaden asked Alaric Blackwood.

The man was dismissive. "Pick your own."

With that, he shoved Jaden’s arm off his shoulder.

Sophie was quick to notice that Alaric Blackwood’s mood had soured the moment he saw Jaden. Although his brows were only knitted for a second, the frown was severe.

"Alright, I’ll pick my own."

Jaden paid Alaric’s attitude no mind. He picked out his own tux and then dragged Alaric to the back to try on their outfits.

"When are you planning to come clean with my sister?"

Alaric asked from his fitting room, changing while he spoke to Jaden in the one next to him.

"Sometime in the next few days."

"She’s on break for a week before she has to go back on set for a shoot. You need to make it quick. Don’t drag this out."

A flicker of panic went through Jaden. "She’s staying at your place right now?"

"Yeah."

"Then after we’re done here, I’ll swing by your place to see her."

The words were barely out of his mouth when his phone rang.

It was his girlfriend. He didn’t waste a second, answering immediately. "What’s wrong, Jasmine? Okay, I’m on my way."

He quickly tried on the tux. The size was right, so he took it off again.

"This one will do."

"Something urgent’s come up. I have to head back to the firm."

Listening to the commotion next door, Alaric Blackwood’s brow furrowed even deeper...