Sentenced to Marriage

Chapter 57

Cat fight It pretty much looked like I was far too dumb to become Aren’s wife… according to his mother at least. I had spent hours scrutinizing every detail of that jewelry box, but nothing had brought me any closer to cracking the opening mechanism! It was killing me! I had always been a riddle master, but now… I couldn’t even see the damn riddle! Discouraged, I took a picture of each side of the box, put it back into the safe, and went to bed.

For the next few days, I kept looking at the pictures I took during every coffee or lunch break, hoping for a sudden revelation. At least I got the exact distraction I needed so I wouldn’t feel like a sex-addict suffering from withdrawal. I texted Aren several times, but curt, short replies were the only messages I got back from him. I knew I should blame him, though. He must have been struggling to solve every problem before the wedding date. After two days, I stopped even ending my messages with a question mark, sending him words of encouragement instead.

Fortunately, there were no problems with the rest of the wedding-related issues. Michael was fascinated with the pattern I had sent him and decided to recreate it on one side and the back of the dress. I couldn’t wait to see the final results… not to mention that I was getting crazily excited at the mere thought of Aren seeing me in that dress.

I spent most of my daytime sitting with Veronica. At least, she did all the talking, and I mainly nodded and shook my head on rare occasions, just to stop her imagination from going overboard. I was learning a lot about things that had never mattered to me before, from flower arrangements to different types of napkins. As the days went by, I wasn’t as uncomfortable around Veronica as I was the day I met her. I was even able to make my own suggestions, feeling quite confident about it. Nonetheless, there was one wedding-related matter that I kept pushing to the deepest corner of my mind-our wedding was supposed to take place in the Wintons’ mansion.

I delayed the unavoidable, trying to settle most of the wedding arrangements without needing to go there, but that was it. Veronica stated that it was as far as she was willing to go without visiting the place.

I agreed reluctantly, comforting myself that Neil would go there with us, but an hour before we were supposed to meet, he called me repentantly… “I’m truly sorry, Ms. Bell. I need to prepare some urgent documents for Mr. Lan, so you will have to visit the mansion without me. Everyone is notified that you are coming, and I can take care of any inconveniences if they occur by phone. I cannot accompany you in person though, “he said.

I sighed, reluctantly accepting the reality. I understood the situation, and I knew that Callan was banned from the mansion, but it didn’t change the fact that I felt as if I was walking into a snake’s nest.

“Veronica… there is something you need to know before we get into the mansion…” I said as we were on our way there. “The relationship between my future in-laws and me is rather complicated…” I shot her a thin smile.

She raised her eyebrows at me. “Meaning? I don’t need to prey, but I’d rather know how badly screwed up your relations are.”

My mouth twitched in a reluctant grimace, but she quickly caught the meaning of my concern. She patted my shoulder and smirked. “I signed the confidentiality clause, so don’t worry. One of the reasons Mr. Lan has chosen me is that I can keep my mouth shut. I wouldn’t tell a thing even if you told me that you’d murdered someone.”

I laughed nervously before taking a deep breath. “I used to date Mr. Lan’s stepbrother, Callan, although I had no idea that his last name was Winton when I got involved with Aren… Callan was always an abusive type, and the way our relationship ended wasn’t good either. Long story short… Callan is now banned from getting close to me or the Wintons’ mansion, and both, he and his mother, hate my and Aren’s guts.” Veronica blinked her eyes, her brain processing everything I said at a great speed before her lips stretched into a thin smile. “Good to know.”

She said that she would have my back if anything happened, but it didn’t lessen my anxieties. As we arrived, we were greeted by the grey-haired chamberlain, who introduced himself as Lucious Maffei. I

couldn’t ignore the way he looked me up and down with disdain when he thought that I would not notice. “Could you show us the garden, Lucious?” Veronica hid her firm demand under a courteous smile. He cleared his throat, his eyes, for some reason, glued to my face. “Certainly,” he said. I bet that the bastard intentionally led two women on heels like us through the grass path where we struggled to take a single step without losing balance. Finally, we reached the spacious grass field bounded by the arched line of a pine grove. Veronica narrowed her eyes, scanning the place, and then pointed at the area by the trees. “We can set the bower right by the trees,” she said. “I’m afraid that’s impossible,” the chamberlain cut in curtly. “Madame is planning to grow a rose flower bed in that very area. The fresh soil will be delivered tomorrow.” I took a deep breath, ignoring the throbbing temple vein. “How about that area?” I pointed at the similar-looking area on the left of the mansion.

“You cannot use that space either,” his response came.

Veronica huffed in frustration. “Why not?” she called out.

“Because I said so.” We heard a nosy, irritating female voice coming from behind us.

When Veronica and I turned around, we saw Vanessa walking our way. She was wearing a fitted, aquamarine, knee-length cocktail dress with her hair pulled up in a neat, perfectly styled bun. As she walked closer, the chamberlain bowed down as if she was his queen. Well, I had no doubt that he was working for her more than he was working for Augustus.

“Hello, Vanessa,” I greeted her, forming my lips into a polite grin. “This lovely lady standing next to me is my wedding planner, Veronica. As you can see, we are trying to set up the area for the aisle and the rest of the venue.”

“Yes, I can see that.” She scoffed, scanning me and Veronica from head to toe.

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Veronica gave her a courteous nod and stepped back, trying to get away from the line of fire. We both knew that this woman came here to cause trouble. I could see what she was doing. Nonetheless, I wanted to know how far she was willing to go with her cheap scheme. “You said that we could not use that area… Why don’t you suggest another place for us,” I said daringly. She smirked. “You can set your venue inside the grove or on the back side of it. There is a field of dirt you can use as well.” Veronica raised her eyebrows in disbelief. “Is she for real?” she muttered, standing close to me so that only I could hear her. “I’m afraid so,” I replied, adjusting my voice to the volume she used. I knew that I could call Neil to help me with this situation, but this woman irked me too much for me to wait. “You truly think that you own this place, do you?” I chuckled coldly. “Watch your mouth, cheap bitch!” she spat, nonchalantly crossing her arms over her chest. “Oh, you call me names… again. I must have mistaken you for a classy woman before.” I covered my mouth with my hand in a theatrical gesture. She groaned in anger and rushed to slap my face. I caught her hand, my fingers curling tightly around her wrist.

“Watch it, Vanessa,” I hissed. “I tried to be kind, but I am not a pushover, and believe me, you don’t want me to show my claws.” “Let go of Mrs. Winton this instant!” the chamberlain roared, reaching his hand my way. “Back off, Lucious!” I growled. “Try to touch me, and you will face severe consequences!” The old man hesitated to move but sent me a vicious glower instead. I smirked coldly and released Vanessa.

JVU

“How dare you?!” she thundered, rubbing her wrist.

I glanced at Veronica, who hid behind me, watching the whole scene with her mouth open wide. As our eyes met, she grinned wickedly and showed me her thumb up. I smiled at her before shifting my eyes to the villainous two.

“Are we done with the drama already?” I sighed and rubbed my temples. “Let me get things straight. My future husband and I didn’t want to have our wedding here-we were invited by the head of the Winton family. Augustus Winton coaxed my fiancé into this, promising the best this mansion could offer. Now,

should we try again, where you will let us plan the damn wedding the way we want, or should I call the head of this family and prove how much your authority around here is non-existent?” Vanessa opened her mouth, ready to yell her venomous words out, but gestured at her, raising one finger to stop her.

“Think twice before saying anything. Your words could cost Augustus Winton eighty million dollars because that is the worth of the investment he is counting on,” I said as the corners of

my lips curled into a smug smirk. She heaved a sigh of frustration and anger. “Plan your shitty venue wherever you want! Just don’t get anywhere near my son!” I chuckled, spreading my arms wide. “Don’t worry. I wouldn’t look for your son even if he was the last person living on Earth.”

With a spiteful growl, she turned around and started walking back to the mansion. Lucious nodded briefly and darted to follow her. Only when we were left alone did I sigh in relief.

“Wow!” Veronica jumped up and clapped her hands. “That was epic! I wish I had recorded it. I have never witnessed a drama like that in my life!”

“Thank God, they’re gone…” I muttered, realizing how much this poor encounter had exhausted me. “You were awesome, Ms. Bell! You were like Mr. Lan-intimidating, firm, but composed!” Veronica giggled agitatedly.

Her words made me smile and blush like an idiot. Was I like him? Probably not, but I couldn’t help but be a little proud of myself. Who would have thought that an introverted person like me would one day turn into a dangerous predator?