Rachel became anxious as she heard the commotion. If Shannon noticed anything suspicious, Leroy and even Jolly herself wouldn’t be able to escape.
However, Shannon didn’t really care about the wedding. Ten minutes before it started, she had left the venue alone to head to the lounge. As she did so, her assistant whispered something in her ear and handed her an elegant-looking box. Her expression tightened at once. “Who’s the person who sent this? Also, where are they?”
“It was a young girl.”
“How could it be? Wasn’t it Mr. Keaton?”
Her assistant frantically explained, “She had an invitation for Mr. Keaton, but she claimed to be his niece. She’s acting as his substitute for the wedding, so she brought a gift.”
Hearing this, Shannon felt slightly disappointed but also relieved. These emotions seemed to contradict each other yet went well together.
Her gaze sharpened as she stared at the box. This box looked similar to the one Mr. Brook had sent someone to give her husband. She had seen that box in her husband’s study when he hadn’t fallen ill. So far, she had seen three similar-looking boxes, yet she had no idea what was inside this box.
“Take good care of that girl. I want to see her after the ceremony.”
“Yes, ma’am.”
Shannon waved her hand to dismiss her assistant, then avoided everyone else as she headed alone to the lounge with the box. She didn’t care whether or not the wedding would be celebrated, as long as the ceremony was enough to make everyone in Enistan acknowledge the union between Lush and the Grandeur Group via marriage. After all, the common practice here was to publish newspaper announcements and get officiated. As long as there was a public announcement and wedding ceremony, the couple would be considered legally married and would not even need to get a marriage license.
In the lounge, Shannon placed the wooden box on the coffee table and studied it carefully. It was slightly larger than her palm, with intricate patterns carved all over it. There was a simple copper lock the size of her thumbnail hanging from the latch.
Howard had sent this gift, but hadn’t provided a key. She frowned and pulled the lock; it rattled once but did not come off. If she wanted to open the box without damaging it, she would have to find a locksmith.
Her thoughts were interrupted by sounds of urgent knocking at the door. She quickly stashed the box inside the safe in the lounge before answering, “Come in.”
“Ma’am, something is wrong.”
Shannon frowned at once. “What happened?”
“Miss Frazier’s having an episode.”
Carmen Frazier was the bride for today. The heiress of the Grandeur Group was also the daughter of Mrs. Bennett’s eldest brother. However, she was born with epilepsy and suffered from episodes when overly excited or anxious. If not for her condition, she would have gotten betrothed sooner, and Leroy wouldn’t even have a chance.
At that moment, guests inside the venue were talking among themselves. Carmen had been taken away by a doctor as Leroy followed. Jolly had wanted to go after them, but Rachel blocked her way. “Calm down.”
“I can’t.”
Rachel grabbed Jolly’s arm and lowered her voice. “Don’t be rash, or I will hold you back-1 don’t care if someone realizes we know each other.”
“Fine.” Jolly gritted her teeth. “I’ll wait here. Let me go first.”
“You have to keep your word.”
“Okay
Rachel only relaxed her grip when she was sure Jolly wouldn’t go anywhere, and she then created a distance between them. At that point, Justin walked to Rachel’s side and frowned. “I just asked around, and it seems that the bride has epilepsy.”
Rachel was surprised by this, and she muttered, “So that’s why she has never shown her face, even though she is the second heiress to the Grandeur Group. The Enistan media have never taken a picture of her, as her family was extremely protective of her.”
“It’s related to their family honor. Besides, it’s not just epilepsy.”
“Not just epilepsy?” Rachel frowned, suddenly remembering some suspicious details. “Something felt wrong when I saw her and Leroy come down the stairs.”
“You saw that too?”
“Yes.”
They looked at each other, sharing a knowing look. Justin then looked behind Rachel, suddenly frowning. “Where’s Jolly?”
She turned around at once, but Jolly was nowhere to be seen. Rachel just knew they shouldn’t have trusted Jolly when she said she wouldn’t act recklessly.
“Let’s split up and find her.”
On the other hand, the doctor had given Carmen emergency aid. She lay on the bed and as soon as she calmed down, she opened her eyes while looking confused.
“Carmen, how are you feeling?” Shannon grabbed her hand. “Are you feeling better?”
Carmen shook her head blankly but then nodded as she thought of something. “Ma’am, the guests are still waiting.” The voice of Shannon’s assistant came from behind. Shannon glanced at her assistant. “Alright. Carmen, have a good rest.”
She then rose to her feet. Before leaving, she glanced at the sofa where Leroy was sitting and told him, “The wedding had to stop halfway through but since the marriage has been officialized, both you and Carmen are now legally married. Stay here and take care of her, then come out when you have been told to.”
He frowned and did not say anything. Shannon never did like him anyway, so she just looked at him coolly before leaving. It was now only Leroy and Carmen in the room.
Carmen turned her head to the side and asked him quietly, “Are you angry?”
She looked as helpless as a child who had done something wrong. He forced a bitter smile. “No.”
She was still staring at him. She did not inquire further, yet she studied him as if trying to deduce something from his expression. Her innocent look made him feel bad for her.
Leroy stood up and commented, “Rest for a little while. I’ll get you a cup of water.”
Carmen nodded once and lay down obediently. However, he did not go get water for her; instead, he opened the door, looked left and right then walked straight out.
The resort was huge, and each level had countless rooms like in a medieval castle. Jolly had followed the doctor all the way here, but had gotten lost in the corridors.
F*cking Leroy! Men are disgusting! Jolly cursed internally as she searched. The way he had looked at her uncaringly during the wedding made her yearn to slap him hard when she found him. The man had seen her, yet he pretended not to. If not for the bride suddenly collapsing, would he have completed the wedding ceremony right in front of her?
Voices came from around the corner.
“Ma’am, do you want to reorganize the whole event?”
“There’s no need.”
“But that’s what President Frazier wants.”
“I’ll talk to my brother.”
Jolly leaned on the wall, tilting her head as she searched for the source of the voices. Suddenly, a pair of hands grabbed her from behind and dragged her backward.
