The wedding hall.
After three hours of desperately searching around the city for Evie, all the mobilized vehicles returned to the wedding venue.
Melinda, Jessica, and Lucas decided to let her go, thinking she might have run away from the city. They didn't bother to find her back, even though they could; after all, they had a wedding to continue, and it was to her loss that she ran away, poor and homeless.
The wedding soon continued as nothing happened. Everything and everyone were in place.
Edward had at least fully recovered from the shock of two hours ago. He seemed to agree with his grandson's choice of bride, making no negative statements about it, especially since he would gain a great fortune, which was still assured.
As for Henry, he just sat watching all these events occur and couldn't do anything about it.
However, the wedding was lively, and every guest present seemed to have adjusted their animosity towards Jessica for some unknown reason. Maybe their hard feelings might have been suppressed by the wedding's three-hour delay, caused by waiting for the family who were desperately searching for Evie, or it could be that they just silently agreed to forget their issues with the wedding for the day and move on with whatever was going to happen.
"By the power vested in me by the state of New York and our heavenly Creator, I now pronounce you both husband and wife. You may now seal your marriage with a kiss."
Lucas smiled. He leaned in to kiss Jessica, but before their lips could meet, the door to the hall swung open.
Everyone, including the couple, turned to the entrance to see what was happening.
Moreover…
About fifty security personnel in crisp black suits, blue ties, and dark sunglasses strode in. They immediately split into two groups, standing upright with hands at their sides, facing each other in two lines that stretched from the hall entrance to the very end. Following them shortly, another man in a white suit walked in, unrolling a plush crimson runner from the entrance down to the altar.
Just then, Evie walked in with Westley, who was wearing a snappy navy blue suit, red bow tie, and dark sunglasses. Eden and six escorts followed them closely.
Everyone's mouth dropped. Their stunned facial expressions made it clear they were bewildered.
Even with sunglasses hiding the face of the new young man, Evie brought in, everyone could tell he was handsome and certainly from a rich, prestigious background.
Lucas, Jessica, and Melinda's eyes widened in shock.
Melinda instantly shook her head, a deep frown creasing her brow as she hissed,
"That slut thinks she can fool us by bringing in a punk to act wealthy. I bet she took a loan to arrange all this for a show-off."
Jessica instantly chimed in, "Just look at how she shamelessly smiled. I'm sure she's crying on the inside while walking down here with that worthless nobody who isn't worth a penny."
Lucas said nothing. He was just staring at the man Evie had just brought in.
That brat is indeed shameless to have brought a poseur here for a show. He cursed, staring at Evie, who was feeling high in the world.
"Pathetic!" Lucas hissed. His jaw tightened, heatedly.
With her gaze fixed on Evie, Melinda snorted, taking in the exquisite, stunning, blue dress and jewelry. She scoffed. "She's too cheap to even afford what she's wearing! She probably spent her last cent renting these actors and a knock-off dress."
She smirked, then let out a low chuckle. "Just wait till tomorrow, she'll be crawling back to us for cash."
Lucas and Jessica laughed.
Evie, on the other hand, stood in front of them with Westley, holding hands firmly.
The six escorts from behind pushed Lucas, Jessica, and Melinda aside, giving them a cold glare. Just as Melinda was about to retaliate, one of the escorts gave her a stern look, which caused her to freeze in her spot. Immediately, Jessica got pissed and then rushed forward to slap him.
Before the slap could land, the escorts swiftly caught her hand and twisted it ruthlessly. "This area is secured. Step back, ma'am." He then pushed her, releasing her hand, and watched her fall to the ground like a ragged doll.
Melinda and Lucas quickly rushed to help her up.
Frustrated, Jessica growled, "Lucas, do something. Tell that shameless bitch to leave our wedding right now. She's embarrassing us."
Lucas turned towards Evie, whose back was facing him.
He roared, "What the fuck are you doing here. You ran away, embarrassed two hours ago, and now return here, creating a scene. If you know what is best for you, better leave with that low-rent actor you just brought in."
Evie, who had fully anticipated this, simply ignored him, smirking as his frustration grew.
"Priest, please start the marriage vow from the beginning. My new husband and I are ready to seal our marriage," Evie said to the trembling priest standing before her.
He nodded in fear and immediately grabbed the ancient, leather-bound scripture from the altar, his hand fumbling with the pages.
"Oh my God, you are going to regret this. I swear you will." Lucas raged, walking towards her.
Evie didn't look back, but this time she could hear Lucas' pounding and screams, a clear sign that the hired escorts were doing their job exactly as Westley had ruthlessly planned.
Everyone was silent, clearly because he truly deserves it. Lucas' grandfather wanted to confront the situation, but felt an urge not to, after all, his grandson had been so rude to publicly humiliate him earlier, just as Melinda had also humiliated her husband.
The priest's voice, though shaky, began to recite the ancient vows, the words filling the suddenly quiet hall.
"You bitch! You dare let your useless men touch my son-in-law…." Before Melinda could complete her words, Westley turned slowly to face her.
He then pointed at two escorts. "You both should throw her out. She is interrupting the ceremony. And make sure she doesn't return."