Inside the banquet hall, all eyes turned to me, filled with contempt.
I overheard whispers:
“Doesn’t Sophia Bennett know her own worth?”
“On her wedding day she dares to put on airs? How could someone like her be worthy of the Collins family?”
Others muttered, “Eric Collins isn’t just rich and handsome—he’s actually devoted. And here Sophia is, making a scene on such an important day. Yet Eric even went out of his way to bring her back.”
Their pointing fingers and hushed comments made my chest burn.
I couldn’t hold back anymore. I raised my voice: “I’m already married to someone else. Eric and I have nothing to do with each other anymore. Let me go!”
But not a single person believed me.
Someone even sneered, “Sophia, stop pretending. Everyone knows you’ll do anything to climb up to Eric.”
“You served him like a maid—pouring tea, washing his feet—just to marry into wealth.”
“And now your dream is about to come true. Would you really throw it away?”
“My advice: be smart about this. If Eric gets angry, you can kiss your rich life goodbye.”
The one speaking was one of Eric’s so-called brothers.
I turned, eyes blazing with grief and rage. “Eric, is this what you’ve told them about me?”
He cleared his throat and whispered into my ear, “I’m a man. I need to save face in front of my buddies. What’s the problem with that?”
Then he said aloud, “Enough. Today’s a joyous day. Don’t insult Sophia anymore.”
His friends laughed and cheered, pretending to agree.
Meanwhile, the bodyguards forced me onto the stage.
The dog, Blackie, was tied up not far from me, snarling and snapping its jaws like it wanted to tear me apart.
Someone in the crowd joked, “Looks like Blackie can’t wait.”
A group of men snickered obscenely.
I shouted, “Where’s Grandpa Collins? I want to see him!”
From the audience, Eric replied coldly, “Grandpa isn’t well. He won’t be coming today.”
He was still dressed in casual clothes, sitting beside Lily Harper, both of them in matching outfits that screamed “couple.”
Grinding my teeth, I demanded, “Give me a phone. I want to call him myself.”
“Eric, I swear I’ll tell him everything that’s happening today.”
Eric hesitated.
But Lily came over, sighing softly. “Sophia, please stop making trouble. You know if Eric doesn’t marry you, Grandpa won’t let him inherit the family fortune. Why are you pushing him so hard? He’s already so pitiful.”
Her words stunned me, and a wave of ice washed over my heart.
So Eric had never loved me. He only pursued me to secure his inheritance.
Eric’s face darkened at her slip. He snapped, “Sophia Bennett, no wonder you’re acting out today. You must’ve heard about this and thought you could use it to blackmail me?”
He turned angrily to the bodyguards. “Forget her status—just finish the ceremony. If she resists, teach her a lesson!”
Just then, someone at the doors exclaimed, “Mr. Collins Senior is here!”
A moment later, a dozen bodyguards filed in, escorting Robert Collins, leaning on his cane.
Eric’s expression faltered, and he hurried forward, calling out, “Grandpa.”
Robert gave him a faint nod.
Seizing the moment, I cried out, “Grandpa Collins!”
I broke free from the bodyguards and ran to him, tears streaming down my face.
“They’re forcing me to marry a dog.”
