NovelFameMaurice and the others were almost spot on with their guesses. He let out a strained hiss. "They ran off
together? Wait-hang on, that can't be right."
Who ever heard of a groom eloping with his own bride?
Even the matriarch was baffled. "So what exactly is his plan now?"
Lucinda and the others all turned to look at her.
There were only ten minutes left before the ceremony was supposed to begin.
The butler, dabbing nervously at the sweat on his brow, looked like he'd never seen anything like this in all his
years of service. "Mr. Silverstein said to go ahead and seat the guests. When the tcomes, everything will be
made clear."
Everyone exchanged uneasy glances. None of them felt the least bit confident, but with the bride and groom
missing, what else could they do?
They didn't even know where the couple had gone.
The matriarch made a decisive call. "Enough. Let's just trust Jarrod."
The arrangements were set, the guests were here—whatever happened, they had to see this through.
Esmeralda, anxious and fidgeting, spun around and hurried to call Elodie.
But all she got was a pre-recorded message: "The number you have dialed is unavailable."
Esmeralda stared at her phone, speechless.
So she was being shut out too? Elodie hadn't even told her?
Frustrated, she turned around-just in tto spot Fleming, who had already arrived.
He noticed her as well. Before Esmeralda could school her expression, she saw Lucy gliding up behind Fleming.
Lucy caught Esmeralda's eye and offered a warm, polite wave.
Friendly and gracious as ever.
Esmeralda felt a twinge of discomfort, but she knew Lucy had done nothing to deserve her resentment. It wasn't
Lucy's fault things with Fleming were so complicated. So she simply nodded in return.
Follow on NovᴇlEnglish.nᴇt
Alexander Sterling strode over, taking in the scene with his usual composure. He stopped by Esmeralda's side
and, without warning, gave her a light tap on the back of the head. "Don't be an idiot."
Esmeralda clutched her head and glared up at him.
Alexander ignored her, nodding toward the front. "You want to sit with him, or with me?"
After all, Esmeralda was still officially Fleming's fiancée, so being seen together wouldn't have raised any
eyebrows.
Esmeralda wilted, looking down at her shoes. "He's already got company. I'm not going to crash the party."
Alexander watched her for a moment, then moved ahead. "At least you're not a total fool."
Esmeralda pursed her lips and followed, forcing herself not to glance in Fleming's direction.
Fleming, for his part, just cast a brief
look at Esmeralda's retreating back before turning to Lucy "Let's head
inside. It's cold up here on the mountain." s
Lucy nudged him playfully. "Aren't you going to look for Elodie?"
Fleming's expression didn't change. "No need."
Lucy sighed. "You don't have to babysit me, you know. | can take care of myself."
Fleming's face remained as impassive as ever, not budging an inch.
Lucy just smiled, slipping her arm through his.
Meanwhile, the guests were gradually being shown to their seats.
When the tcame, everyone was ushered into the main hall.
Floor-to-ceiling windows lined each wall, framing a breathtaking view of snowy mountains outside. The scenery
was so beautiful, so serene,
it seemed to
calm everyone's
nerves.
s
But as the minute hand ticked to the scheduled hour, there was still no sign of the bride and groom.
A ripple of whispering began to spread among the guests confusion and speculation buzzing beneath the
surface.
Esmeralda felt her anxiety spike. The
last thing she ie Yigs toseel
Noy bsgfred gossip fodder
for people eager to criticize Elodie.
But just as her nerves threatened to get the better of her-
The massive screen at the front of the hall flickered to life.
All those hushed conversations instantly died away as every eye swung toward
the stage.
Even the matriarch and her circle looked on, startled and intrigued.
And then-
A video began to play. Jarrod's face appeared on the screen.
But it was Jarrod from years ago—a younger, more boyish version, lacking the composed maturity he had now.
Lucinda recognized it almost immediately. This was Jarrod at about twenty, maybe a bit younger.
He must have used a professional
camera; the Se com
praleOe bdst igh school in
Eldermere. It was graduation day.
The footage showed more than just
his face. the upper left comer git
screen, g gil stood 4 (Bsn of a
clot; holding a bouquet of yellow
roses smiling for a group. photo. The
content is on novelenglish.net! Read
the latest chapter there!
s
Esmeralda's eyes went wide. She smacked Alexander on the arm. "Elodie! That's Elodie's high school
graduation!"
Everyone stared in surprise as the scene unfolded.
Jarrod never approached the crowd, but even from afar, the way his camera
lingered was telling. It was obvious who had captured his attention.
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