Chapter 4

That night, as I was dealing with documents in my study, Sophia sent a FaceTime request.

Even though we were about to get married, I still felt nervous.

After the video call ended, I stood by the window for a long time.

Until the doorbell rang—it was Chloe.

"Lucas, what was that all about today?"

She walked straight into the living room.

"I told you I wouldn't marry you, and you tried to snatch the wedding plan from my fiancé? Don't you feel ashamed?"

I had just talked to Sophia and was in a great mood.

Now that she'd ruined it, I was really annoyed. "Chloe, this is the last time I'll explain this to you: I'm not marrying you!"

Chloe looked at me disdainfully. "Don't play games with me, Lucas. The man I love is Marcus; I would never marry you."

"If you want to keep any dignity, then stay out of my sight!"

She was driving me crazy, so I angrily told her to leave.

She swung her limited-edition handbag and stomped out, fuming.

Her Ins status updated shortly after:

"The eighteenth of this month, Marriage Registry Office, marrying for love."

The accompanying picture was of her and Marcus on a yacht.

Unfortunately, Sophia and I had also scheduled that day.

I arrived at the Marriage Registry Office half an hour early, wearing the custom suit Sophia had prepared for me.

To avoid Chloe and Marcus, I had specifically chosen 7 AM.

Unexpectedly, we still ran into them.

At 6:55 AM, Chloe and Marcus arrived with a group of friends.

When she saw me, her expression instantly froze.

"You actually came?" She pulled her hand away from Marcus and strode over.

"Lucas, how many times have I told you I won't marry you? What are you doing?"

Her friends started to snicker.

"Winters, your childhood friend is really persistent!"

"Is he planning to crash the wedding?"

"Need us to call security for you?"

Marcus walked over, his hand resting on my shoulder. "Blackwood, need me to introduce you to some decent dates?"

"I told you," I pushed his hand away, "today, I'm not marrying *her*."

Chloe's laugh was sharp and unnatural.

"Then who are you marrying? At this hour, dressed like this,"

She reached out to touch my suit lapel, but I blocked her hand.

"You're not seriously going to say you're waiting for some other woman, dressed in haute couture at 6 AM outside the Marriage Registry Office, are you?"

Her friends burst into louder laughter.

"Lucas, stop messing around." One of the men patted my shoulder.

"We all know you've loved Chloe for twenty years. But now she's chosen Marcus, you need to learn to let go."

"Yeah, how about I introduce you to some models? Definitely better than being a laughingstock here."

Chloe smirked disdainfully.

"Him? Please. Boring, rigid, can't even crack a smile—I wouldn't take him even if he was free."

Listening to Chloe's insulting words, I could no longer suppress my anger.

In my past life, she had used the same tone to tell Marcus, "Him? His size can't even satisfy me."

I took a deep breath.

"Chloe, do you not understand plain English? I told you, I was *never* going to marry *you*!"

She laughed, unangered.

"Lucas, who would believe that? You've wanted to marry me since you were five, even resorting to forcing an engagement!"

"So tell me, where is the woman you're dressed up like this to marry? It's been so long, why hasn't she shown up yet?"

I glanced at my watch. 7:00 AM. "She's never late."

Just then, a Rolls-Royce glided through the morning mist.

A clear, yet gentle voice rang out.

"Chloe, why are you bothering my fiancé again?"