“Where’s your wife? Let her come out and meet me!”
The moment I said that, Daniel Carter’s face instantly darkened.
“Ethan, don’t push your luck just because I called you an old classmate.”
“My wife is the daughter of Los Angeles’s wealthiest man, the heiress of the Reed family. Do you really think she’s someone you can just see whenever you want?”
I gave a short, dismissive laugh.
“The city’s richest man? That’s nothing more than the threshold for meeting me.”
The entire crowd erupted.
“This guy must be out of his mind—causing trouble at Isabella Reed’s wedding? He’s asking to die!”
“Exactly! Isabella is the real definition of beauty and wealth. What does this loser have to compare with her?”
“If she hears someone slandering her behind her back, he’ll never find a job in this city again.”
As the chatter grew louder, Daniel’s expression turned smug.
“Listen, Ethan, today’s my wedding. I won’t stoop to your level. If you’re smart, grab a chair and sit outside—you don’t have the qualifications to step into the hall.”
Their threats didn’t bother me. In fact, I almost found them amusing.
“Daniel, let me make it clear—if I don’t see her today, I’m not leaving.”
As soon as the words left my mouth, Daniel swung his fist at me, cursing furiously.
“You little bastard, I’m giving you too much face!”
At that critical moment, a sharp voice cut through the chaos.
“Stop!”
“Daniel, you’re supposed to be a respectable figure in Los Angeles. Why are you lowering yourself to argue with a nobody?”
At those words, a tall young woman, surrounded by bodyguards, slowly entered the room.
“So, you’re the bride?”
I studied her carefully. I had to admit, my mother’s taste wasn’t bad at all.
Nearly five-foot-seven, dressed in a pristine white gown that hugged her flawless figure.
The only flaw, if it could be called that, was the icy coldness in her eyes as she looked at me.
“Miss Reed, since this is our first meeting, please allow me to introduce myself.”
“My name is Ethan Brooks, and I—”
“No need!”
Before I could finish, Isabella Reed impatiently raised her hand to cut me off.
“I couldn’t care less who you are.”
For a moment, I thought I had misheard.
After all, she and I were engaged, yet she was standing here marrying another man behind my back.
Did she really think I was a fool?
The anger in me flared instantly.
“Miss Reed, although we’ve never met in person and the engagement was arranged by our parents, marrying another man in secret—don’t you think that’s a bit immoral?”
At that, Isabella’s face hardened.
“Immoral?” She sneered.
“Why don’t you take a good look in the mirror and ask yourself—do you really think you’re worthy of me?”
With a dismissive glance, she scoffed,
“This marriage was arranged by my father. What does it have to do with me?”
Then, raising her voice so everyone could hear, she added,
“And don’t you ever mention this matter again in front of others. Looking at a loser like you for even one second makes me sick!”
I clenched my fists, forcing myself to swallow the fury boiling inside, my gaze locked firmly on her.
“Since Miss Reed has already made herself so clear, I won’t bother dragging this out any further.”
